Tito Wagging the Dog ?
The news that the text of the treaty of friendship between Greece, Turkey and Yugoslavia has been initialed in Athens may be more unreservedly welcomed than Marshal Tito's project for a union of what he calls " progressive movements " throughout the world. It was first suggested by him last November, touched upon by him in his speech to the fourth congress of the Yugoslav People's Front last Sunday, and expounded by Mr. Kardelj, the Vice-President of the Federal 'Council, on Monday: It might conceivably be mentioned in some of the talks that will take place during the Mar- shal's forthcoming visit to this country. If that happens the present British Conservative Government may be enabled to decide whether it comes within the category of " progressive movements." At the moment that seems a little doubtful. The national Yugoslav body corresponding to the proposed inter- national organisation is to be called the Socialist Alliance oi the Working People of Yugoslavia. The whole tenor of the speeches of Marshal Tito and Mr. Kardelj, as well as that of Mr. Sam Watson who conveyed the fraternal greetings of the British Labour Party to the congress at Belgrade, suggests that what is proposed is an international Socialist body. That is what the Communist Government of Yugoslavia might be expected to suggest. And Marshal Tito's pronotncement that the new movement was meant to fight not only against the Cominform but also against " the most reactionary circles " in the West " with the Vatican at their head " was the sort of pronouncement that he might have been expected to make. But it will still be interesting to know where the British Government, as distinct from any one British party, fits into all this. Goodwill towards Yugoslavia, under its present bold and vigorous leadership, is strong in this country. The will to resist Russian encroachment, as Marshal Tito has resisted it. is also strong. But a new Socialist International might be an embarrassing addition to the already over-complicated inter- national machinery of the West.
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