STRONG CONTRAST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26916, 30 October 1948, Page 7

STRONG CONTRAST

EARLIER STATEMENTS BY MR STALIN

“ OBVIOUS THREAT TO WEST ”

N.Z.P.A.—Copyright

Rec. 10 p.m. LONDON. Oct. 29. The gravity of the breach between the Soviet Union and Western Powers was brought home to the ' Russian people for the first time by the uncompromising tone of the interview which Mr Stalin gave to Pravda, says. Reuter’s political cbrrespondent. Observers in London noted that his statement that the United States and British policy was a. policy of “.aggression and the unleashing of a new war” contrasted strongly with the conciliatory nature of all his earlier utterances on foreign policy since the end of the war. The interview appeared to be designed primarily for home consumption. Observers regard Mr Stalin's statement as containing an obvious threat to the Western Governments. Observers also consider that Mr Stalin’s statement makes it clear that he relies on “ social forces ” to frustrate the allegedly warlike intentions of the Western Governments.

The statement is also interpreted as a direct reference to the future role of Communist Parties in the Western States.

A Foreign Office spokesman said ;t was possible that Mr Ernest Bevin would make a statement in the House of Commons on Mr Stalin’s comments. In Paris. Western sources asserted that Mr Stalin was wrong that the Four-Power Pact of August 30 was the agreed solution to the Berlin dispute. It was subject to the four Military Governors agreeing to put it into effect. If an agreed solution had been reached in private talks in Paris with the Russians, the Western Powers had not been informed of it.

Some Western observers in Moscow believe that Mr Stalin’s statement implies that the door is still open for a Berlin agreement, but that it will be closed finally if Britain and the United States continue to insist on a solution through the United Nations, says the Moscow correspondent of the British United Press.