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LINK WITH BADOGLIO
SOVIET MOVE1
A SURPRISE i
Australian Associated Press
LONDON , Tuesday. — Russia's resumption
of diplomatic relations with the Badoglio Gov
ernment in Italy has caused some puzzlement
in diplomatic circles. ! j
The Naples correspondent of I
The Times says: —
"The Italo-Soviet agreement to
exchange diplomatic representa
tives obviously creates a precedent
of unusual interest and import
ance.
"The fact of two countries, after '
being at war. establishing friendly
relations before they have made
peace is something new in inter
national procedure.
"This initiative may And imi
tators. The Jugoslav and Greek
Governments appear likely to take
the same line."
The Times, in a leading article,
describes the action of the Russian
Government in according recogni
tion to Marshal Badoglio as sur
prising. It says that the estab
lishment of full diplomatic rela
tions with an enemy Government
after an armistice and before the
acceptance of peace terms is at
least anomalous. . The .Times adds:
"The Russian Government ap
pears to have taken' and an
nounced its decision without
consulting the British or Ameri
can Governments, and also with
out discussion in the Mediter
ranean Commission.
"This procedure Is open to ser
ious drawbacks. It has revealed,
indeed Droclaimed. <to the whole
world the lack of that full co
ordination of policy which is' de
sirable between the Allies.
"There have been both on the
British and Russian sides regret-
able lapses into unilateral action
when consultation and co-oper
ation would have been the belter
way. It is a task for wise states
manship in both countries to see
that they do not recur."
AMERICAN VIEWS
The. Herald Special Service
WASHINGTON, Tuesday. —
While Leftists- are .embarrassed
i by Moscow's recognition of the
Badoglio Government their op
ponents are correspondingly Jubi
lant, declaring that. Russian policy
Is based on military, not ideologi
cal, considerations.
Both viewpoints are immature,
framed In terms of local Ameri
can politics.
It is doubtful whether anyone
in Washington possesses sufficient
Information correctly to appraise
tbe significance of the Soviet's
latest move.
Russia-Italy: See P. 2, Col. 4

RUSSIA-ITALY

(From Page Col. 7)
Soviet Aims

Moscow's tactics resemble those
adopted regarding Jugoslavia.
While encouraging Marsha! Tito
from the first, Russia, neverthe
less. maintained correct diplomatic

relations with King Peter's regime.
A commentator in the New York
Herald-Tribune says: "It is the
policy of a great Power self-con
fident enough to be disinterested
in day-to-day developments."
It is considered here that
London has been obliged to
adapt Its Balkans policy to that
of Moscow, which seems to be
sure of predominance in South-
Easlcrn Europe. No official
source here is prepared to go as
far as to say that recognition
of the Badogiio Government
represents an attempt to extend
Soviet influence in Italy, but it
is pointed out that Soviet influ
ence Is extending In tlic Near
East.
The Soviet Minister In Cairo
speaks perfect Arabic and has
shown sympathetic understanding
of Arab aspirations. The recept,
Moslfem Conference' at Tashkent
was noted favorably' throughout
the Arab world.
"CORRECT" STAND
Rliscia hntirf»v/»r hoc mnlnlnlnnrl

a correct attitude in the Near
East. She appears to respect Bri
tain's diplomatic position there
and restricts herself to the role
I of "correct observer." She may
contemplate a similar position In
Italy.
Communist propaganda Is ex
cluded from Information material
the Soviet circulates in the Near
i East. The very correctness of
I Russia's attitude, however. Is In
creasing her Influence both In the
; Balkans and the Arab world.
Establishment of a diplomatic
I mission In Italy will, in the view
of some observers at Washington,
give her a voice In the Mediter
ranean settlement which she ap-
' pears to be determined to deny.
Britain and America in the affairs
of Poland and the Balkan States.

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