STOP PRESS

Evening Star, Issue 23501, 15 February 1940, Page 18

STOP PRESS

PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS. In a reserved judgment, the • magistrate (Mr Stout) holds that it is not a tenabh; defence that an authorised pedestrian crossing was not. authorised because it was not indicated by a black-and-white post at each end. An authorised crossing was one marked in accordance with schedule, and the requirement to erect posts and lights was something additional brought into effect after the crossings were authorised. Motorists would still have to observe any crossings adequately marked on a road.—Wellington Association message. NEW GERMAN PEACE OFFENSIVE. „ LONDON, February 14.—The Rotterdam correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says the presence during the last fortnight ■of many German bankers and businessmen indicates the beginning of a new peace offensive, particularly directed at neutrals. The German legation and semi-official German organisations are entertaining on an unusual scale with the idea of propagating the view that Germany primarily desires normal trade, only the Allies’ will for war barring the way. Dutch and other neutral businessmen are

invited to a conference at Berlin on March 2. The Dutch believe that the Germans are trying to create an atmosphere that the war will die a natural death and are convinced that the campaign is officially inspired.

TWO MORE U-BOATS SUNK. LONDON, February 14.—1 tis officially stated that since a destroyer sank two U-boats on February 9, tbe two U-boats concerned in the .sinking of the Gretafield, the British Triumph, and Sultan Star have been destroyed. The U-boat which sank the Sultan Star survived its victim by only half an hour. STOCK EXCHANGE. Sales reported this afternoon : M‘Leod Bros., £26 15s. Unlisted: Associated Dredges, 11s (ex rights).

Pritt, Labour M.P. for Hammersmith, and chairman of the Society for Cultural Relations with the U.S.S.R., says Russia, by entering the League, *‘ seems to have been determined to do all it could to enable the League to function as a machine for the preservation of peace, and to abide strictly by the engagements into which it entered. Among the extraordinarily variegated accusations that have been made against the Soviet Union none has yet hinted that it did not abide strictly by its duties and obligations as a member of the League.” That statement was made last year; it should be expunged from future editions of Mr Pritt’s book. IDEALS OF THE RED ARMY. Officially blessed publications relating to life in the Soviet Union will also have to be considerably revised in their references to Soviet foreign policy, and the use to which the Red army will be put. In 1938 a book entitled ‘ The Soviet Comes of Age,’ summarised the main achievements of the Soviet Republics in 21 years. Leading Soviet citizens contributed chapters on their particular work. Jn the light of recent happenings in the Baltic, capped by the unprovoked invasion of Finland, the chapters- relating to foreign policy and the army make interesting reading. Dealing with foreign policy, Professor I. Zvavich said:—“ Throughout all the years of its existence the Soviet Republic has constantly and unswervingly advocated peace and set its face against war.” And; “The Soviet Union stands for the consolidation of all the peace forces in the world under the banner of the League of Nations; for it is convinced that aggressors will not dare to attack peaceful states if they all stand together.” Yet, now engaged in an undeclared war against a small State (have “ persuaded ” other small Baltic States that it is in their interests to be protected by the Soviet), protests are being made by Stalin that the Scandinavian countries—true peace-loving nations—■ arc not being neutral! Most damaging statement of all to the continuance of Soviet ideals when they conflict with practices is this:—“ Both in the East and in the West the U.S.S.R. has ever maintained the principles of equality of rights in dealing with “ small ” countries. In the eyes of Fascist diplomats schools in the worst traditions of Prussianism, small countries and small nations are to be regarded as of “ inferior status.” In contrast to these views of the Fascist aggressors, the Soviet Union always respects the culture and the independence of small countries and nations.” And listen to Stalin, 1937 model: “ The U.S.S.R. has no idea of threatening anybody, let alone of attacking any other country.”

One quotation from the chapter on the Red army and defence should be sufficient to sho\v how much the ideals of the Soviet Union have deteriorated in two years: —“The purpose of the Red army is not aggression. It does not intend to attack anybody. It was created in order to defend Soviet Russia against the numerous enemies who fell upon the young republic, and on the termination of the civil war the Red army was organised as an army whose purpose was to defend'the Soviet Union, and to secure its independence and inviolability of its frontiers, of which it is the faithful and .trusty sentinel.”

So much for words; as much for their meaning. On November 30 Russian troops crossed the Finnish frontier; Helsinki was bombed from the air. On December 14 the Soviet was removed from membership of the League of Nations—branded an aggressor. Thus was brought from cover the meaning of the “ world peace ” ideal of the Soviet Union.