THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS TUESDAY, JUNE 11, l940 RUSSIA AND ITALY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23679, 11 June 1940, Page 6

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1940 RUSSIA AND ITALY

Closely related to the question of Italy's attitude to the war is that of Russia's. There are good reasons for believing that these two Powers have no wish to be found in the same camp. The nearest approach to such a union has been their nominal sharing"of neutrality, and this is so essentially destitute of positive content that it furnishes 110 solid basis, in itself, for deducing a common foreign policy of any sort. It is equally incapable of use as an argument against the likelihood of their coming to loggerheads, at any moment, about Germany's manifest bid for supremacy in Europe. As between themselves, in short, this shared neutrality means nothing. They have not reached it by mutual understanding, and a breach of it by either could not legitimately arouse the other's ire—except on grounds quite apart from their formal indifference to the progress and outcome of this particular conflict. To turn from formal to practical considerations, however, is to meet reasons for believing that, should either of these two Powers come into the struggle openly on the side of Germany, the other's inclination to do so would dwindle. It served Hitler's purpose to connive with Stalin, who without declaration of war served Hitler in turn—and certainly did not serve him for naught. But any kind of. bargain made by Hitler with Stalin was an affront to Mussolini, and 110 efforts by Ribbentrop, or by Hitler himself, it seems, could avail to recover Mussolini's cordiality. Yet now he appears to be contemplating a return to partnership, and on the diplomatic front of the war, consequently, a new phase is to be expected. The tone of the Italian press has become again hostile to the Allies, and significant events multiply in witness of Mussolini's preparation to stand at the side of Germany. These changes may or may. not mean

a full and final determination by Mussolini to take this step, but they turn attention to Moscow. How does Stalin view the prospect of a complete Italo-German alliance 1 Generations of Italian antipathy to Russia, Mussolini's well - remembered personal antagonism to Communists, the Rome-Berlin agreement upon the Anti-Commintern Pact, afterwards extended to Tokio—these were challenges not likely to be forgotten in Moscow. They have not been forgotten. Russia's part at Geneva in unbending opposition to Italy when Mussolini set about subduing Abyssinia, and. at the sessions of the Non-intervention Committee when Mussolini "was bent on using the Spanish War to' Italy's advantage, equally showed how Muscovite antipathy answered Italian. And now unfeigned rivalry in the Balkans, where Russian and Italian expansionist policies are at odds, com-: plicated by that of Germany, raise causes of sharp quarrel.. So Italy's exhibition of renewed friendship with Germany is arousing Soviet umbrage afresh. Formal relations between the two countries are con- ; ventionally in order: their respec- ; tive Ambassadors have resumed

their posts after an interval of aloofness. But none familiar with Stalin can set much store on this. In view of long-standing and deep cleavages two events call for greater notice. The Moscow radio, entirely official, is breathing out threats to "a certain nation" seeking to extend its power in the Mediterranean by taking territory from small nations, and from Moscow comes official notification that Russia and Japan have reached agreement about the frontier of Manchukuo. The second of these events is of pre-eminent importance. That frontier, inheriting the old northern boundary of Manchuria, is one of the greatest lines of international friction in the world. It has a history of implacable quarrel. Wars in the Far East have been mainly concerned with it. They have embroiled Western peoples and created problems vexing the whole world. Mention of this frontier unfolds a long and bitter record, and to learn of its passing out of the sphere of enmity, 'so that no more shall Russia and Japan fly at each other's throats about it, compels search for explanation. "Russia, for reasons vitally connected with her "drive" for Pacific commerce, has always been the aggressor, whatever the ostensible provocation. Now she accepts a settlement that, no matter what its details, shuts her off from long-sought access to the Yellow Sea ; she is free from need to stand on guard in her Far East. Free for what? For the devotion of greater military strength to plans :in Europe, plans that have, above all, an eye upon Italy, if the threat from Moscow means anything at all.