ANTI-WAR PACT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 27 July 1928, Page 5

ANTI-WAR PACT

SOVIET’S ATTITUDE WOULD LIKE TO SIGN. THE NIGHTMARE GF WAR. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegrapn Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) s RERUN, July 25. The “Berliner Tageblatt” publishes an article from its Moscow correspondent, Paul Scheffer, regarding tine Soviet attitude towards the Kellogg peace pact. It expresses, opinions, presumably tho.se* of Scheffer himself, but it is possible to read an them an expression of the official Soviet view. Scheffer considers that such a pact must remain an empty formula if it lacks the Soviet signature. He .suggests guairdedily that Moscow would gladly adhere to it if it were sure no opposition would arise. Undoubtedly the United States desired the Russians’ adherence, but it could not make an approach as, theoretically, the Soviet Government does not exist in the eyes of Washington. Sdheffer says he has not the slightest doubt that the Soviet’s present desire is for peace. She is more to blame for the hostile words and actions of others than she admits, but the decisive factor is insecurity of the Soviet- Government and the possibility that the next storm will burst on that front and will extend everywhere. The fear of encirclement is a real'spectre in Moscow, and accordingly greater is the inducement to accompany the Powers on the road to friendship and play a part on the world’s stage as an equal among equals. Deep scepticism overloading the Kremlin regarding the Soviet’s foreign relations causes the preparation of the party and the masses for the coming war “against the proletarian state.'’ Just asMhe Soviet urgently wishes to relieve the tension in and about Russia arising from the nightmare of war, so is tiie question a decisive and more pressing one for Europe, because it is gradually blocking the way to a settlement with the Rle’d and the mysterious East. The- activity in the West over “organisation for peace*,’’ the correspondent proceeds, simultaneously with the retrogression of war and anarchy in the eastern half of Europe, is possibly the Inst, chance to arrest this process and give a turn for the better. The Soviet, bv entering the ranks of the pact Powers, would igain a more active interest than in entering the League t>f Nations, which is the American conception: of thorough ingenuousness and simplicity, ami would bring it nearer the original task, namely, the maintenance of peace.