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Finnish-Russian War

(Encyclopedia)Finnish-Russian War, 1939–40, war between Finland and the Soviet Union. After World War II broke out in Sept., 1939, the USSR, never on cordial terms with Finland, took advantage of its nonaggressio...

Runciman, Walter Runciman, 1st Viscount

(Encyclopedia)Runciman, Walter Runciman, 1st Viscount rŭnˈsĭmən [key], 1870–1949, British shipping magnate and public official. He inherited his father's large shipping business. As a Liberal he served in Par...

Ciano, Galeazzo

(Encyclopedia)Ciano, Galeazzo gälāätˈtsō chäˈnō [key], 1903–44, Italian foreign minister and Fascist leader; son of Admiral Costanzo Ciano, conte di Cortellazzo. He entered on a diplomatic career, married...

Anzus Treaty

(Encyclopedia)Anzus Treaty ănˈzəs [key], defense agreement signed in 1951 by Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The name Anzus is derived from the initials of the three signatory nations. As a result...

Saavedra Lamas, Carlos

(Encyclopedia)Saavedra Lamas, Carlos kärˈlōs sävāˈᵺrä läˈmäs [key], 1880–1959, Argentine statesman, foreign minister (1932–38). An advocate of Pan-Americanism and of the League of Nations (he was pr...

Paris Pacts

(Encyclopedia)Paris Pacts, four international agreements signed in Paris on Oct. 23, 1954, to establish a new international status for West Germany. Since the end of World War II, West Germany had been occupied by ...

Cooper, Alfred Duff, 1st Viscount Norwich of Aldwick

(Encyclopedia)Cooper, Alfred Duff, 1st Viscount Norwich of Aldwick ko͞oˈpər, ko͝opˈər [key], 1890–1954, British statesman and diplomat. Elected to Parliament as a Conservative (Unionist) in 1924, he served ...

Hirota, Koki

(Encyclopedia)Hirota, Koki kōˈkē hēˈrōtä [key], 1878–1948, Japanese statesman. He graduated from the law school of Tokyo Univ. A career diplomat, he served as ambassador to Russia (1930–32) and as foreig...

Grechko, Andrei Antonovich

(Encyclopedia)Grechko, Andrei Antonovich əndrāˈ əntôˈnəvĭch grĕchˈkō [key], 1903–76, Soviet army officer and minister of defense. As a World War II commander he took part in the liberation of the Cauca...

Luther, Hans

(Encyclopedia)Luther, Hans häns lo͞oˈtər [key], 1879–1962, German statesman. As Gustav Stresemann's minister of finance he aided Hjalmar Schacht in stabilizing the German currency. A non-partisan in centrist ...