17 MAY 1945, Page 13

GERMANY'S ATTACK ON RUSSIA •

Stn,—On the outbreak of the war in Europe now brought to a victorious conclusion, Russia and Germany attacked Poland as allies and captured Warsaw before the end of September, 1939. They then proceeded to divide the territory of Poland between themselves. Russian representa- tives, including Mr. Molotov, had been feted in Berlin and received there with the greatest cordiality. On January troth, 1941, the Russo- German pact was solemnly renewed. On June 22nd of the same year, however, Russia was attacked by Germany.

In his speech last Sunday night, the Prime Minister could offer no information as to the reason for Hitler's volte face which he set down as Isflpts and appeared to regard as an " Act of God," which believers in a divine government of the universe can well accept as the ultimata:- explanation of what happened when the Fiihrer wantonly disregarded the warning of Bismarck that Germany should never fight a European war on two fronts. But, historians of the future will want to know a good deal more than has yet been divulged as to why Hitler took the step which was to shatter the Reich intended by him to last for a thousand years. There must be some who could give information as to what happened between January and June of 1941, which so transformed the European situation. Has not the time yet come when this could safely be