Uncle Joe, Where Is You?

Stalin's bombshell announcement that the U.S.S.R. would exchange representatives with Badoglio's Government caused a lot of teeth-gnashing and fingernail-chewing. It vexed the U.S. State Department, puzzled the British and alarmed Communists. Secretary of State Cordell Hull announced coldly that the U.S. would not follow its ally's lead and "recognize" the Badoglio Government. Communists throughout the world bowed their Red heads and took it like party members. Naples' Communist Paolo Tedeschi declared: "Perhaps the recognition embarrassed us somewhat. . . but it will neither lessen our sympathy . . . for Russian Communism nor . . . our determination to work ceaselessly for the King's removal." Count Carlo Sforza added: more appearance than reality.

By week's end the excitement over Russia's act had subsided into speculation over the motives behind it. What in the world was Uncle Joe up to now? Nobody knew for certain--that was the whole point--but the theories that were put out ranged from 1) "That Stalin is one smart cookie" to 2) "Them Russians are sure dumb." Was Stalin:

P: Serving notice on his allies that the westward-coursing Soviet Empire was to include Italy--and the warm waters of the Mediterranean--in its shadow?

P: With tongue in cheek, pointing up the ideological confusion of the U.S. and Britain by backing them up further than they wanted to be backed up?

P: Disregarding the fact that he was a Teheran-toasted partner, pledged to a united front--and no secrets, mind!--looking for an Italian listening post?

P: Taking the (apparently) longest way round to finish Italian fascism--by mock-saluting the big frog while preparing to clean up the marsh?

P: Simply trying to be helpful?

Whatever it was that the Recording Angel wrote in the book of history, Britain and the U.S. did not cotton to this last suggestion--that Stalin was just in there doing his bit for all hands, like a latter-day saint. Whatever they think of their own foreign policy, most Britons and Americans have great respect for the modern Machiavelli.

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