Relations With Russia
From the periodical and fragmentary statements issued regarding the progress of the Anglo-Russian trade negotiations it seems safe to infer that in fact they are making no progress at all. It seems equally safe to infer that on the British side the negotiations are being toyed with, rather than pushed on with the activity and enterprise which the importance of improving relations with any powerful neutral might seem to dictate. There can be no question of a political agreement with Russia at the present time, and no one is suggesting it. But Russia has lost all her calculated enthusiasm for the German cause, and her recent trade agreement with Yugoslavia shows how rapidly a mere commercial accord can improve the general relations between two countries. In the Balkans and elsewhere her interests and ours at present coincide. It is, of course, important to see to it that increased exports from this country to Russia do not result, directly or indirectly, in increased exports from Russia to Germany, but it is possible to be. pedantic to excess on such a point to the detriment of the larger interests involved—as Mr. Dalton, the new Minister of Economic Warfare, would certainly agree. The negotiations need to be taken up with new vigour and in a new spirit. It has been suggested in more than one quarter that Sir Stafford Cripps (who has visited M. Molotoff in a private capacity recently) should be sent to Moscow to conduct them. It would be a thoroughly sound step.
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