"DELICATE"

Evening Star, Issue 25742, 15 March 1946, Page 4

"DELICATE"

BIG THREE RELATIONS RUSSIA'S ACTION IN PERSIA INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT OPENLY BROKEN LONDON, March 14. ' The Times ' in a leader describes the situation among the three Great Powers as " delicate, if not dangerous." After drawing attention to the reports of Russian troop movements in Persia. It comments that little more than six months after final victory in Europe a situation has been reached among war-time friends and allies In which an international agreement has been openly broken . and " relations among them are being conducted in naked terms of rival power." The principal causes of mutual suspicion are not difficult to enumerate, it continues—bad feeling on the British and American side excited by the (Russians' drastic actions in the eastern zone of Germany in expelling populations and stripping German factories, and the policy of building up an exclusive Soviet zone in Eastern Europe Then came the actions in Manchuria and Persia. Behind these specific resentments lie two more general causes of bitterness and suspicion. First, there is the claim by Russian leaders and the Press of almost the sole credit for victory; ami. secondly, while the sincerity of Russian preoccupation with security is not doubted, the Russian leaders did not attempt to define their requirements of security, leaving suspicion in -nany quarters that Russian territorial ambitions were unbounded and that prompt concession to one claim would lead immediately to another. RUSSIAN SUSPICIONS * The Times ' points out that it would be rash and unfair to ignore no less keen suspicions on the_ Russian side. \ccording to the (Russian interpretation, the Crimea agreement " tn holn the liberated peoples to destroy the last vestiges of Nazism and Fascism " has

been violated almost everywhere in Europe by Great Britain and America, who, tho Russians believe, left Nazis and Fascists in positions of authority and influence.

(Russian suspicions were also directed to British and American concern with Eastern Europe, which was considered vital to Russian security. Then thero is the suspicion of General Anders's army. Most of all, perhaps, the policy which retained for the United States the exclusive exploitation of tho atomic bomb aggravated the, existing sense of insecurity in Soviet minds. " A hopeful factor in the situation." ' The Times ' continues, " is the common interest, underlying the relations of the three Powers. The need for security would be best served by a policy of friendly agreement with the Western Powers. The first indispensable step is to clear up the situation in Persia. The situation also urgently demands a meeting of leading statesmen of the three Powers. Meanwhile deeds, not words, count. While nothing should be left undone to secure the defence of Great Britain's interests, it is also important that nothing should he said to aggravate the situation unnecessarily." DANGER IN PERSIA. The diplomatic correspondent of 'The Times,' after referring to tho " confusions and dangers" of the situation in Persia, says that no 'Russian troops have left' the northern zone of Persia. The British Government is less concerned with movements witiiin that zone than with the fact that there are troops there at all. " Stationary or on the move," he «ays, " they are part of the apparatus of intimidation, and direct interference in Persian internal affairs in violation of the treaty and repeated assurances that they would be withdrawn by March 2." Commenting on the reported Russian intention to remain in Persia " until the situation is clarified," the correspondent says that M. Sultaneh evidently heard enough in Moscow to fear that the Russians meant to create an international situation and that their decision to keep troops in Northern Persia springs from unreason-, ing suspicions of British intentions in the Middle East. The ' Daily Mail,' in a leader, after saying that Generalissimo Stalin's personal abuse of Mr Churchill would be deplored and regretted, said that such words can only reflect on the man uttering them. " Russia's sacrifices are well known and remembered." it states. " Her need for security is recognised. But it is not necessary for her security to break treaties, to ianore solemn protests, to stir up anti-British feeling all over the world, or to strive to make bad blood between Great Britain and America. MR CHURQHILL'S WORDS JUSTIFIED. " Russian reinforcements of troops in Persia caused alarm throughout the world. Here is one more Soviet action disquietingly comparable with events before the recent war." Referring to talk of another Big Three meeting, the ' Daily Mail ' says: If such n meeting is to resolve the present crisis and halt once and for all Russia's imperialistic course, it would be invaluable; but if it is merely to become another Munich, our hopes ol* future peace would bo diminished. The leader, referring to Mr Churchill's speech, said: Never have the words of any statesman been so swiftly justified. /