The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES". GISBORNE, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1948. SINISTER IMPERIALISM OF COMMUNIST RUSSIA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22569, 24 February 1948, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES". GISBORNE, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1948. SINISTER IMPERIALISM OF COMMUNIST RUSSIA

r ]piLE futility of expecting Communists to co-operate indefinitely in any form of government based on the western democratic pattern has once again been strikingly exemplified by current, political events in Czechoslovakia. Between the two world wars the Czechoslovakian Republic became a State something approaching in spirit and in deed a model democracy. Great hopes were held that if. would remain a permanent example for all the reconstructed European countries to follow. But the rise of Hitler, encouraged in the first place hv the military weakness of Powers who should have been prepared to defend democracy by force of arms if necessary, put a tragic end to the ambitions of the Czechoslovaks and caused more widespread troubles which recent history has recorded very plainly. Today the western democratic Powers, including the United States, are averse to making the same mistakes again. The need for remaining as strong as possible to keep the peace is realised. But this time they are not dealing with the palpable braggadocio of Hitler’s Nazis. They have on hand the rather more complicated assignment, of countering an insidious Communist infiltration which must, now be recognised without, any shadow of doubt as aiming at world domination—bloodless if other political thoughts will bow to its will, but certainly militaristic if political aggression fails and if it is believed by the leaders of the Soviet Union that they have accumulated the armaments to match those whom they regard as 1 heir ideological adversaries.

Progress in “Cominfomi Stakes”

The establishment of a one-party State in Czechoslovakia would undoubtedly he another significant move towards Communist domination in Central Europe and a consolidation of the Soviet front well west of Russia’s borders. In short, the Communists are making good progress in the “Oominform Stakes.” No country can claim a perfect purity of motive and method in all its dealings with others. The British and American peoples, having freedom of speech, arc candid critics of their own national polities. Among these uninhibited observers there are some who feel that their Governments have fumbled previous opportunities to make friends with Russia. But a scrupulous conscience should not be allowed to distort that picture. Among the peoples of the western democracies there is no feeling, on racial grounds, against the Russians. There is, however, a rising anger and apprehension over the continual abuse levelled at them by the propaganda inspired through Russian leadership. All this, combined with the relentless overthrowing of true democracy among Russia’s smaller neighbours must he regarded as part of the campaign for world domination. The Russian people, of course, hear another story. Typical of this is the Order of the Day just issued by Marshal Bulganin. Minister of the Soviet Armed Forces: “So long ns imperialism exists there is danger of our homeland being attacked. All ranks must be ready at all times and at any price, to defend Russia’s honour and interests.” While the western Powers have sought to correct any errors of judgment which they may have made in the pre-war years and since, there has been an implacable atmosphere of suspicion in all Soviet policy. The more they are tested against the facts the more the Moscow charges of warmongering seem to resemble Hitler’s technique of accusing others of the aims which he himself was following. Appeasement Limit Reached. The democracies have gone to the limit in acquiescing in Russia’s domination of Eastern Europe. They have seen independence wiped out in Baltic States to give Russia what she claims to be “strategic security.” They have had their own interests squeezed in the setting up by force and by electoral sharp practices of Communist, Governments in the Balkans. Their task of administering Germany has boon made more difficult and more costly by the way in which Russia has shut off her zone of occupation from the rest of the country. The overthrow of democracy in France and Italy has been tried by the customary nefarious methods. And now, on the usual political pretexts, all other parties in Czechoslovakia are likely to be ousted. Overwhelmingly, the record of the post-war years shows that all the offers of co-operation have come from the democracies and that the rebuffs have come from the Communists. America, not altogether guiltless of impetuousness, hut sincerely concerned. for world peace, once offered to put her atomic technique into international custody if her partners in the United Nations would join her in accepting supervision of all war industries. But, alone nf all the Powers, Russia found objections to a perfectly workable plan. . . The substance of Soviet abuse of Britain and America is not borne out by statistics. The armed forces of these democracies have been reduced to a far greater extent than Russia’s. Only last weelc n British White Paper announced cuts in the forces and in defence expenditure. Furthermore, the old bases of Imperial strategy and security are being given up as Britain withdraws from one country after another, while Russia strives to push her frontiers outward. A new imperialism—a sinister, political imperialism is spreading across Europe and the world. Czechoslovakia is the latest pawn to he taken in this grim game.