RUSSIA’S ASPIRATIONS

Southland Times, Issue 22218, 10 January 1934, Page 4

RUSSIA’S ASPIRATIONS

Russia, so long out of harmony with other countries, is making strenuous efforts to improve her international status and, if the Daily Herald is to be relied on, is even anxious to link up with the League of Nations. Under Stalin and Litvinoff there has been a big change in Russia’s foreign policy, for although there has not been a divorce between the Soviet Government and the Third Internationale there has at least been some renunciation of the theory that only by the overthrow of capitalist countries could the world be made safe for communism. Non-aggression pacts have been signed and every effort has been made to convince the world of the success of the Soviet’s economic plan. The United States,

the latest country to resume regular relations with Russia, did so largely as the outcome of President Roosevelt’s belief that the recognition of the Soviet Union was a step, towards international harmony. Encouraged by the success of M. Litvinoff’s mission to Washington, the Soviet made advances to Britain, but did not meet with much encouragement. Possibly the reaction to this is the opening of negotiations with a view to joining the League. This manifest desire of Russia for improved relations with certain of her neighbours would be most heartening were it not for the fact that her affiliation with France and her allies in Europe has encouraged the Soviet to take a more aggressive attitude to Germany even as America’s resumption of regular relationship has emboldened Moscow in its dealings with Tokio. It may be that Stalin is genuinely anxious to cooperate in securing world peace; but the fear must still exist that he is merely angling for present security while his plans for a world revolution are maturing.