The Wanganui Chronicle FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1946. RUSSIA IN EUROPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 166, 19 July 1946, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1946. RUSSIA IN EUROPE

11-' it be true, as .Mr. Alan Alitehell •suggests in a message from London, that Russia gave way in Hie Balkans to become more adamant in Germany, then the situation in liurojie Ims not in... improved. The Balkans have ever been the cockpit between siav and Latin, with oilier races being brought into the conflict on occasions, l-'urtlier, with the practical elimination of the Turk from Europe, the friction is likely to continue between the Bulgar, who is Slav, and the Greek, who is Hellenic. After the Berlin Conference, Disiaeli, speaking as Lord Beaconsfield in the House of Lords, said: "I would say to Greece as I would say Io an indi-

vidual with a future, learn to be patient.” Greece desired to expand her territory. She has been patient and now experts its patience to be rewarded—at the expense of Bulgaria, Tn pulling out from the Balkan tussle, then. Russia does not leave that peninsula in an undisturbed state. The Balkan States can be re. ■<■ I upon to keep the pot boiling for a long time to come. The Potsdam agreement between 1 lie four great Powers provided for the setting-up of special zones, but it. also contemplated the economic revival of Germany as an integral whole. Russia is accused of breaking the Potsdam agreement, and in consequence the American and British Governments are being compelled to move along new lines. They are contemplating uniting the zones under their jurisdiction and cutting apart from Russia in the management, of her zone. This decision would alter the whole European outlook and the repercussions from it are not yet io he visualised.

Germany is a country which looks outwards. All its great rivers run for part of their course outside the country. England is centred upon London: France upon Paris. The roads and railways radiate from these respective centres as to the spokes of a wheel. Even elongated Italy gravitates towards Rome, but in Germany there is no definite gravitation centre. Culture has no comprehensiveness; the German folklore is spread over wide areas which have no relationship with each other. Even in the matter of language there are marked differences. Among the Germans themselves there were, and possibly still are, many conscious of this characteristic of their land. It has been said that it. was only the army that held Germany together as one unit. Be that as it may, Germany’s lack of comprehensiveness is offset, by a lack of affinity with the countries that surround her. Which of these two weaknesses is likely in the cud to be the more influential? If Hie German mosaic is broken, will the parts reunite or will they become more attached to the surrounding count lies- If an idealogical difference were imported into the scene it. would tend to make the rift the more complete. Further than that it would be dangerous to prophesy. Perhaps Russia would be satisfied with such a situat ion.