"ANTI-BRITISH TONE”

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24814, 2 March 1946, Page 7

"ANTI-BRITISH TONE”

SOVIET INFORMATION SERVICES

ANALYSIS MADE BY CORRESPONDENT

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. ?8“The anii-British tone in Mospbw newspapers and wireless services is being maintained and seems to have been intensified in the last few days,” says the diplomatic correspondent of “The Times.” He adds: ‘“Those who thought there would be a change for the better after the Security Council debates or after the Soviet elections finding their expectations Giviqe an example by analysing a single day’s news in Moscow, the cor? respondent says that in most news? papers almost the whole qf foreign hews was devoted to news or comment critical of British actions in different parts of the world. Eleven lines were given to Mr Bevin’s speech on foreign affairs in the House of Commons. It was stated that he “rejected the accusation that he was not working for good Anglo?Sovief relations,” but he “spoke in favour of a western bloc.” As “a western bloc” had been bitterly attacked aS an anti-Soviet device, Russian leaders were left to infer that Mr Bevin was pursuing a double policy. His offer to extend the Anglo-Soviet alliance to a period of 50 years was not reported. ’‘lzvestia" repeated its accusation that Mr W. D, Ntackenzie Ring was trying to cover up Mr Revin’s “failure” at the Security Council discussions which, according to “Pravda,” h»d ‘‘de? monstrated with extreme clarity that the policy which Mr Bevin defended was vividly anti-democratic jn character.”

A Tasg Agency message from New York contained a string of criticisms of British policy in Greece, including a remark by a left-wing broadcast commentator that “Mr Bevin was demonstrating the traditional role of social democracy as a weapon of imperialism.” Another special article alleged that General Anders’ Army was “supported by Britain” and led into an examination of threats against Jugoslavia and the whole situation in Trieste and the Julian March.

The Indian Navy mutiny and the accompanying riots were fully reported, together with reference to an election speech in .which a Congress Party leader proclaimed “a final and decisive battle with Britain.” No reference had yet been made to the Congress Party’s denunciation of the outbreaks or to the coming visit to India of three British Cabinet Ministers. “It is a persistent campaign,” says “The Times” correspondent, “with Britain as the main target of criticism. Trying to explain it all, some say the Soviet peoples are facing enormous tasks of reconstruction and need the strengthened sense of confidence that comes from the belief that the Soviet Union is stable amid a world of change, and also the need t<Y be told why so much is going to build up Soviet strength. Rut the broadcasts are going to all countries of the world and seem calculated to have their greatest effect in areas where negotiations are going on or are about to begin.”