Mr. Strang has given place at Moscow to the Generals,
and various deductions have been drawn from the fact. Most of them have rather slender foundation. Mr. Strang has obviously been called home because he cannot stay in Moscow for ever, and there is plenty of work waiting for him here. Moreover, while at first it was no doubt an advantage for him to talk to M. Molotoff knowing Lord Halifax's mind, it may now be more useful to talk to Lord Halifax knowing M. Molotoff's mind. As to the soldiers, they will be up against one rather serious difficulty. Can Staff talks without unreserved disclosure of plans on both sides achieve much? Can there be unreserved disclosure of plans of the utmost secrecy between countries making this kind of contact for the first time in twenty years? There is nothing in the world the German Secret Service wants to know so much as French and British military plans—and rather a lot of Russian officers have been shot on the charge of treasonable communication with Germany. All this creates a delicate situation and forbids too much trust in the congenial theory that the soldiers will promptly make up for the deficiencies of the diplomats. Let us hope so, none the less.
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