RUSSO-GERMAN RELATIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 23 November 1938, Page 6

RUSSO-GERMAN RELATIONS

IT seems that there are some in , Europe who think “that Herr ' Hitler will be tempted to embark j on foreign adventures in Eastern | Europe.” Many observers consider that the German leader will | seek to secure economic ad- i vantages from Russia, preferably by economic methods, but if necessary by the forcible seizure of the Ukraine, which is Russia’s most productive province. That would be Bismarck’s "Drang na r n Osteil” (D rag town rds the East) j which he preferred to western adventures, at t he expense of j France, which, when all is said ! and considered, is carrying a large ' population. But it must be re- j membered that there is a Franco-| Russian arrangement for mutual defence, under which, if one of them is attacked, the other undertakes to attack the aggressor. There are those who believe that this agreement would not stand testing, that Russia is in no condition to try conclusions with Germany, and that France would not

allow herself to be involved in strife with that nation, in order to assist the Soviet Government. So far as the Russians are concerned, they probably are in no way apprehensive, at the present time of

I year, when a mantle of snow ! covers their country, and renders it safe against invasion for four lor five months. On the other hand, it is said that there has long ! been discussion in the European I capitals of a possible rapprochement of Russia and Germany, the General Staff of the latter regarding the Red Army with whole- | some respect. But to what extent do Germany’s military chiefs j shape the foreign policy of Herr ! Hitler, whose powers approximate so nearly to those of a Dictator? What are the feelings of the Fuhrer towards Russia? It is ] commonly reported that he heartily dislikes its political head —Stalin, who returns the compliment with interest. There may therefore be something in the report that Field-Marshal Goering is thought to be laying plans for an offensive against Russia in the spring, which would mean in about five months’ time. It is not possible to forecast European events so far ahead as that, but it is possible to perceive the stupendous happenings which might result if the political leaders of Germany and Russia came to loggerheads. Fortunately climatic conditions in Russia dictate peace for a period. It is hoped that during the winter months the two Dictators will exercise their powers of reflection and that, remembering the appalling miseries which result from war, they will cement the existing peace by means of liberal concessions made mutually to the advantage of the German and Russian nations.