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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 191, 15 August 1940, Page 4

JT is impossible to ignore the obvious in respect to the conduct of Russia, which is that immediately Germany commits herself to an enterprise, Russia makes a further movement in her own interest. Russia witnesses the intensification of Germany’s air effort against Britain, and assumes that Hitler has arrived at another of his intuitive decisions to embark upon an invasion of the United Kingdom, hence she inspires a Slav movement in the Balkan Peninsula in order to check any improvement there of Italy’s position. This will be most distressing for Italy, seeing that Albania is in ferment. Italy can ill afford to undertake the role of policeman of the Balkans, and will have little heart to do so, seeing that she must expect her axis partner to take the plunder in the end. Russia’s moves in the Balkans are under cover at the moment, but they are likely to come to the surface at any time and be open moves on the international chessboard. It should not be assumed, however, that Russian policy will be directed in a manner necessarily favourable to the British Empire. All that Stalin’s policy amounts to is to take advantage of any set of conditions to advance Russia’s interests. Russia will make no move to “save” Britain. Russia will pursue a course which shall bring her profit, no matter whether at the expense of Germany or of Great Britain. Should Britain desire that Russia’s jnove shall be helpful to the democratic countries, then the way to secure that help is to overcome Germany. Russia will then move to secure whatever advantages she can. To allow Germany even to have even the appearance of success, however, might, and probably would, turn Russia to the policy of moving at the expense of the British Empire. Russia’s present policy ft one of opportunist expansionism.