U.S.A. AND SOVIET.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20477, 1 December 1934, Page 27 (Supplement)

U.S.A. AND SOVIET.

Ambassador Popular With Russians. SECRET POLICE GUARD HIM. (By A FORMER AIDE.) PHILADELPHIA, October 25. Ambassador William C. Bullitt has made an extremely good impression on the Russians, who find him a roan of strong personality and distinct charm. He has that same personal appeal and winning manner that is characteristic of President Roosevelt. Russians who meet the Ambassador are absorbing many American ideas and viewpoints without conscious intent on. his part or theirs. He is so convinced an American that he cannot help brimming over with it. Russians like his interest in sports and. since they Jove the ultra-modern, they like the fact that he has his own ’plane in Russia and travels about in it, piloted by Lieutenant White, his military aide. It is through him that Russian officers have developed such a keen interest in polo. Secret Police Guard Envoy. The Soviet Government has assigned' two members of the secret political police as a guard for the Ambassador. It is unbelievable that anyone would want to harm him, and it is doubted that the Government has any such fear, but it takes no chances. When he is at home, at the Embassy, or wherever he may be, the motor car of the guard always is in front. To those who know, it actually serves as a signal that the Ambassador is “in.” Ambassador Bullitt deals directly with the Foreign Office, headed by Maxim Litvinoff. As Josef Stalin, officially general secretary of the Russian Communist party and generally referred to as the Russian Dictator, is not actually an official o£- the Soviet Union, the Ambassador does not come in contact with him. The Ambassador is kept busy with negotiations of many kinds with high officials, and receiving and interviewing visiting American officials and other noteworthy visitors. On the rise of ground known as Lenin's Hill, in Moscow, there soon will rise a line new buildinjr, to be occupied by the U.S. Embassy. Historically, that is the spot where Napoleon stood wrapped in gloom and watched the burning of the city in 1812, the tragedy which marked the beginning of the end of the French invasion of Russia. Office and Residence Separated. The new building will house the Embassy offices and the residence of the Ambassador. Since he went to Russia as first Ambassador of the United States to the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, after Washington recognised the Soviet Government, Mr. Bullitt had liis offices one place and his residence another. He is housed in a handsome, roomy and impressive old palace, which was built by a wealthy sugar importer years ago. The American Embassy and Consulate occupy the larger part of a substantial building next to the National Hotel. Many persons in this country fear Communist propaganda and agitation directed and financed from Russia. Many in Russia entertain exactly the same fear about capitalistic infiltration from America. There is an aloofness and a reserve about a great many Russians in their dealings with Americans that is significant. As a matter of fact, only a handful of high officials are permitted to make contact with representatives of capitalistic countries, of which America is an outstanding example. These officials are cordial, and do such purely official entertaining as is required. Otherwise, virtually all waking hours are devoted to ceaseless work by the entire Embassy staff, for there is an immense amount of executive direction, administrative detail, and pure burdensome labour involved in setting up the machinery of a brand new Embassy and getting it to function smoothly, especially where all the customs, surroundings, Government regulations, and even the language, are so utterly different.— (N.A.N.A.)