RUSSIAN TACTICS

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 74, 25 September 1945, Page 7

RUSSIAN TACTICS

BUILDING EASTERN BLOC

LONDON, September 24,

"The "Daily Herald's" diplomatic correspondent says that far more important than the question of the recognition of the present Rumanian, Bulgarian, and Hungarian regimes is Russia's insistence that in many- respects Rumania and Bulgaria shall be treated not as former enemies, but as allies.

That, for example, whereas Italian armaments shall be limited and placed under Allied supervision, Rumania and Bulgaria shall be allowed to maintain whatever armed forces they choose.

The correspondent adds that it is an i unpleasant, but inescapable fact that from the very beginning and on every issue the Russian delegation has appeared less anxious to seek a reasonable solution of difficult problems than to secure advantages for the countries which it is trying to form into an eastern bloc under Russian leadership. Mr. Molotov evidently regarded the whole meeting not as a council of the Allies, but as a conflict between East and West, in which his job was to Score points and gain advantages for members of the Russian bloc. The crux and kernel of the whole problem is the Soviet Government's quite evident determination to divide Europe into two zones, of which the eastern will be under Russian leadership and. as far as possible, under firm Russian control. DEADLOCK DENIED. British officials refuse to describe the situation that has arisen as a deadlock,- but admit that there are serious difficulties between the delegates of Russia and those of the Western Powers. The "Daily Express" diplomatic cor- I respondent says the latest difficulty relates to whether Governments which have no armistice arrangements with the Balkan countries should partici- j pate in framing those peace treaties. It is believed that Mr. Molotov holds that the Chinese and French delegates should be excluded from these discussions. It is generally counted a good thing that there were no meetings today, says "The Times" diplomatic correspondent, because each delegate will have time to breathe and take stock. The Council so far has been divided in two chief ways. First, when there are discussions on the Balkans there is the degree of military strength which the-former Axis satellites should be allowed to keep. The British view is that if armaments are kept restricted there is less danger that Balkan rivalries may become dangerous, involving the large' Powers. OTHER ISSUE STALLED. Little progress has so far been made on the second main issue, the question whether the Bulgarian, Rumanian, and Hungarian regimes can be regarded as democratic. This involves intangible philosophical and ideological issues which the Conference is loath to tackle. The "Daily Mail" in a leading article says it is incorrect to say the London conference has completely broken down. It is still in being, and before the delegates disperse no doubt some face-saving formula will be devised to cover their activities. But the mere fact that so many outstanding important matters have been referred to deputies shows to what extent the Council has failed to achieve its objects.

Russia appears to have an indelible suspicion of the Western Powers and acts accordingly, the only result 'of which is to arouse counter-suspicion and forfeit the almost illimitable good will she enjoyed among the mass of the peoples.