War with Russia discussed by George Fielding Eliot

While the publishers declare that "this is not warmongering," George Fielding Eliot, in "If Russia Strikes," begins by assuming that there will be wear between the United States and Russia, with the only question being one of time. "We cannot make peace with the present rulers of the Soviet Union," he states on the first page. Thus, as long as the present regime rules Russia the only peace will be one of armed waiting--waiting for war.

"If Russia Strikes" is an attempt to analyze the probable actions of the United States and its allies on the one hand, and Russia on the other, in event of conflict. Mr. Eliot gives Russia another year in which to decide to attack the West, and the West three years to make the same decision if either is to be successful. According to the author, Russia could now capture all of Western Europe easily, but the United States would still possess final superiority in the air. Time is with this country in arming the Atlantic Pact nations but it will also allow Russia to develop atomic weapons.

Because it is mainly guesswork about the present military strength of various nations, and the possibilities of different plans of attack and defense, "If Russia Strikes" is of questionable value in assessing the present or future world situation. The book is not based on any proven facts, and both reflects and supports present fear and hysteria. According to Mr. Eliot, since there can be no peace with Russia, we must remain armed and develop more powerful weapons and a stronger FBI to ferret out spies and plotters. All of this may not be warmongering--but it is dangerously close.