MOSCOW’S DESIRE FOR PEACE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 176, 27 July 1928, Page 7

MOSCOW’S DESIRE FOR PEACE

WOULD JOIN NEW PACT IF INVITED I* Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright ] [ Times Cables. ] Received. July 26, 8.10 p.m. BERLIN, July 26. The Berliner Tageblatt publishes an article from its correspondent in Moscow, Paul Scheffer, anent the Soviet’s attitude towards the Kellogg Pact. It in an expression of opinions, presumably those of Scheffer himself, but it is possible to read in them an expression of the official Soviet view. Scheffer considers that such a pact must remain an empty formula if it lacks the Soviet’s signature, .and suggests guardedly that Moscow <*ould gladly adhere to it if it were sure no opposition would arise. Undoubtedly the United States de wires Russia’s adherence L..t it cannot make an approach as, theoretically, the Soviet Government does not exist in • eyes of Washington. . •heffer says he has not the slightest doubt that the Soviet’s ] resent desire is peace. She is more to blame for the hostile words and actions of others than she admits, but the decisive factor is the insecurity of the Soviet Union and the possibility that the next storm to burst on ’’is front will extend everywhere. Fear of encirclement is the real spectre in Moscow, •nd accordingly greater is the inducement to accompany the Powers on the road to friendship : nd play a part on the world stage, as an equal among equals. The deep sceptism overloading the Kremlin regarding the .Soviet's foreign relations is causing the preparation of the party and th«- masses* for “the coming war against the proletarian Ztate.” Just as the Soviet urgently wishes to relieve the tension in and at "t Russia arising from the nightmare of war, so is the question a decisive and more pressing cue for Europe, because it is gradually blocking the way to a settlement. The correspondent proceeds: “Thq Kellogg Pact is possibly the best chance to arrest this process and give a turn for the better. The Soviet, by entering the ranks of the Pact Powers, would gain a more active interest in entering the League, which is the American conception of thorough ingenuousness and simplicity, and would bring it nearer its original task, namely the maintenance of peace.”