Man Eater-the original of this Russian cartoon was presented to Lord Beaverbrook by Stalin. It is typical of the savage Russian style, which tried to whip up hatred in its readers; Western cartoons ridiculed the Axis, making them objects of fun.
As previously explained, the military situation, as it appeared at the time of the "Quadrant” Conference, was sufficiently hopeful to make the British and the Americans begin to think of the future of the European continent and its balance of power after German military might, which had changed the entire pre-war picture, had been reduced to dust and ashes.
There are two documents to be taken into account in this question. One comes from the pen of a senior American officer whom Robert E. Sherwood, editing the Harry Hopkins papers, could not identify. The other comes from a letter that Churchill sent to Field-Marshal Smuts personally on September 5, 1943.
When Harry Hopkins went to Quebec, he carried with him a note entitled "The Russian position”, in which the anonymous American officer gave his views concerning post-war prospects in Europe and the chances of obtaining the help of Russia in the struggle against Japan:
"Russia’s post-war position in Europe will be a dominant one. With Germany crushed, there is no power in Europe to oppose her tremendous military forces. It is true that Great Britain is building up a position in the Mediterranean vis-a-vis Russia that she may find useful in balancing power in Europe. However, even here she may not be able to oppose Russia unless she is otherwise supported.
"The conclusions from the foregoing are obvious. Since Russia is the decisive factor in the war, she must be given every assistance and every effort must be made to obtain her friendship. Likewise, since without question she will dominate Europe on the defeat of the Axis, it is even more essential to develop and maintain the most friendly relations with Russia.
"Finally, the most important factor the United States has to consider in relation to Russia is the prosecution of the war in Pacific. With Russia as an ally in the war against Japan, the war can be terminated in less time and at less expense in life and resources than ifthe reverse were the case. Should the war in the Pacific have to be carried on with an unfriendly or negative attitude on the part of Russia, the difficulties will be immeasurably increased and the operations might become abortive.”
Churchill saw things in much the same light. His old South African friend, disappointed by the results of the Quebec Conference, which slowed down the war in the Mediterranean, cabled him on September 3:
"To the ordinary man it must appear that it is Russia who is winning the war. If this impression continues what will be our post-war world position compared with that of Russia? A tremendous shift in our world status may follow, and will leave Russia the diplomatic master of the world. This is both unnecessary and undesirable, and would have especially bad reactions for the British Commonwealth. Unless we emerge from the war on terms of equality our position-will be both uncomfortable and dangerous.”
Two days later, Churchill replied "after profound reflection”, in a cable outlining eight points. Only the sixth is quoted here because it deals in particular with the question under discussion:
"I think it inevitable that Russia will be the greatest land Power in the world after this war, which will have rid her of two military Powers, Japan and Germany, who in our lifetime have inflicted upon her such heavy defeats. I hope however that the 'fraternal association’ of the British Commonwealth and the United States, together with sea - and air-power, may put us on good terms and in a friendly balance with Russia at least for the period of rebuilding. Farther than that I cannot see with mortal eye, and I am not as yet fully informed about the celestial telescopes.”
World History
