THE INCOMPATIBLE ALLIES

As an exacting study of German-Russian relations between the two world wars this has its value in its author's honesty, perception and his position as a Russian born German national who followed a diplomatic career that kept him in intimate contact with both Embassies. Mr. Hilger outlines political events and personalities as they became a part of his life. Held prisoner by the Russians during World War I, his later work with repatriation and German Government health commissions is a focus for interesting accounts of the beginnings of the Soviet regime and Russian inter-party rivalry. As he moved on, he became witness to such treaties as Rapallo and Locarno and his view of them enlightens the development of off again-on again relationships- between a Russia who made as many bids as she could for the development of communism in Germany, and a Germany whose militarism spread to the training of troops in Moscow. A diplomat's report, and not for the man in the streets who wants to know, quickly, the background to the riots of East Germany- this has the needed depth to satisfy the specialist.