RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24741, 5 December 1945, Page 7

RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY

Conflict of Views

STALIN EXTENDS HOLIDAY (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 4. Mr Stalin’s decision to continue his holiday at Sochi, Georgia, for another month has caused some speculation. It is learnt that a number of decisions on Soviet home and foreign policy have been postponed until the New Year, It is also remarked that Soviet policy is in a state of transition and that there is a conflict of views on foreign relations. Isolationism or expansionism is the dominant issue.

A special correspondent of the “Observer” suggests that Mr Stalin is studying the international situation very closely and allowing Mr Molotov (the Foreign Commissar) to play his hand freely. If Mr Molotov fails, or his moves increase the tension, then Mr Stalin may be free to initiate a new political course.

The correspondent continues: “The direction of Soviet diplomacy is gradually being changed from offensive to defensive, but the present phase is one of transition. Therefore, neither is markedly offensive nor markedly defensive. A softening of Soviet policy throughout Eastern Europe is undeniable, including absence of interference in Hungarian and Austrian politics during the election campaigns, the release of some Polish leaders sentenced to long terms, and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Czechoslovakia.

‘Even in Persia a rather limited objective was fixed when Moscow denied any separatist aspirations in the Azerbaijan rising. In the Far East Russian tactics have been even more cautious. There is no doubt that Russian diplomacy is overshadowed by what, it sincerely believes to be the threat of the atomic bomb."

The writer expresses the opinion that Mr Stalin is brooding over the extent to which the threat is real or unreal, and over the question of how deeply his diplomacy should retreat before British and American pressure.

Election of Soviets “Russian home policy is no less complex, or difficult," says the correspondent. “The Soviet Union will elect new Soviets in February, .and shortly afterwards Mr Stalin can be expected to sum up the economic political developments of the last few years and present an outline of the first postwar five-year plan. An important question will, it is emphasised, be the development of heavy industry or consumer goods, the demand for both ot which is equally pressing. Since the present tension between Russia and the Western Powers suggests that Russia will not receive much economic assistance, the new five-year plan will have to be based on this assumption, “There is a good deal of evidence of a tug-of-war behind the scenes in Russia over this problem of allocation as between capital and consumer goods."

The “Glasgow Herald’s" diplomatic correspondent, commenting ®n Mr Stalin’s continued holiday, expresses the opinion that there are two policies in Russia at the moment, neither of which is perfectly- formulated, but both greatly influenced by the atomic bomb controversy. The correspondent'says: “Both are inspired by fear, But seek its removal by different means. The first policy, which i B largely military, desires to secure commanding positions and the use of outlying Slavs as Russia’s first line of defence. Hence a policy of domination by alliance, as in the case of Polafid, Czechoslovakia, and Jugoslavia, neglect of Austria and Hungary, and the maintenance of Russian occupation on the Oder. In these ‘Russ*an ’ regions no more interference would be tolerated than would interference in defiance of the Monroe Doctrine.

The Second Policy The second policy is of those who see no line of defence against the atom-rocket combination and potential air strength, with which Russia for long will be unable to compete. They are hardly less ‘isolationist’ than the former, but they see in the United Nations Organisation a temporary means of security and a guarantee against war They are not internationalists, but they see in a iresent adhesion to internationalism a sort of insurance. In this play of offensive and defensive conceptions lies an explanation of the inconsistencies of Russian policy.

“It is not treacherous. It is simply undefined, and therefore confusedly carried on by hand-to-mouth procedure in which, far too often, the man on the spot has to act, not on definite orders, but on .his personal predilection. But there, so far, is no agreement on the best method of obtaining

“In these circumstances the Western Powers must be prepared to put up with a good deal of annoyance, caused partly deliberately and partly by sheer inexperience. Above all they must try to avoid giving a handle to the intransigents and isolationists. Their policy must be to remain firmly on the ground of their own democratic principles, but to recognise that Russia still rejects the full implication thereof.” Censorship Relaxed Reuter’s correspondent in Moscow reports sending the first uncensored dispatch from Russia for six years. He says; “I am convinced, for the time being, anyway, that the Soviet Government will allow correspondents to write what they' think, provided the rules of fairness and objectivity are observed.

"A gradual easing of censorship during the last month has reduced censorship to a formality, but correspondents are still confined to Moscow. The Soviet Union is expected by foreign observers to give concrete evidence m the near future of its desire for increased international co-operation. “There is a feeling that Soviet suspicions will decrease and that the Soviet Union will show an increasing willingness to respond to invitations from other Great Powers for international co-operation in many spheres—political, economic, scientific, and cultural. Across the conference, tables, however, Soviet representatives will continue to bargain hard. The country’s press and radio will storm against persons and moves which the Soviet Government suspects of being aimed ht Russian interests.”

PACT OF MUTUAL AID

POLISH PROPOSAL TO CZECHOSLOVAKIA

LONDON, December 3. The Moscow radio has announced that Poland has expressed hqr willingness to conclude a pact of mutual friendship and aid with Czechoslovakia. Poland proposes, in a Note to Prague, that the two countries should settle outstanding points of the dispute. The Prague radio haS denied the Moscow radio report that Poland has offered to open discussions with Czechoslovakia. The radio said that if the suggested negotiations did take place territorial questions obviously could not be discussed. In no circumstances could the Teschen frontier problem be discussed. The Polish attitude to this question was clear.

Russian News Agency.—The Russian Tass News Agency is being expanded “in accordance With the Soviet union’s position of world importance since victory.”—Moscow, December 3. Film Industry in Britain.—The President of the Board of Trade (Sir Stafford Cripps) said to-day that steps were being taken to restore film studios taken over for war purposes and also to release skilled men and equipment for the film industry.—London, December 3.