BRITONS 'PUZZLED' ABOUT RUSSIA'S BLUNDERINGS

Northern Advocate, 30 March 1946, Page 5

BRITONS 'PUZZLED' ABOUT RUSSIA'S BLUNDERINGS

(Rec. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON. Mar. 29.

“Puzzled” rather than “gloomy” might be said fairly to sum up the reaction in dmlomatic circles to Russia s withdrawal from the Security Council meetings in New York.

Nobody has the slightest idea why j Russia failed to reply to Britain’s two Notes enquiring why the Soviet had not withdrawn her troops from Persia in conformity with the 1942 Treaty no r why. if as M. Gromyko states agreement already had been reached between Russia and Persia, the representatives of both countries should not come to the council table and say what the agreement is. EXTREME CLUMSINESS The comment here is that Russia has handled the position with “extreme clumsiness.” and is pursuing the course of a “blundering, suspicious giant, throwing its weight about and hurting itself and everyone else.” There is a good deal of guessing what will occur between now and April 10. Few people are sufficiently despondent to consider the possibilities of Russia leaving UNO altogether, while those who habitually look on the brighter side of things remark that there is at least cause for optimism in the situation in that it has proved that world opinion is no longer content that a powerful nation, with a

strong army, can expect to coerce a smaller country without opposition.

UNITES BRITAIN, USA

There is a general feeling that Russia is handling her foreign policy very unskilfully. At the UNO sessions in London, Russia continued her policy of trying to drive a wedge between Britain and America. and certainly the Americans adopted an attitude of aloofness. But the net result of the Soviet's action is that she has drawn Britain and America closer together than they have been at any time since the war. RESPONSIBILITY ON BYRNES It is remarked that Mr Bevin has shown shrewdness in not attending the Security Council meetings in New York. His absence, while not weakening Britain's position in any way, is placing' a greater weight of responsibility for action upon Mr Byrnes and the American delegation, which, on this occasion certainly is being more forthright and outspoken than ever it was in London. It so far is firmly believed here that Russia does not desire to wreck UNO. and, to that extent, there is hopefulness that an amicable solution will be found to the Persian dispute. But, at the moment, it is little more than a somewhat negative emotion.