INDIGNATION ROUSED

Chronicle (Levin), 17 December 1946, Page 5

INDIGNATION ROUSED

i Press Ass

Soviet Journal's Criticism of Britain WAR HELP TO RUSSIA'

By Telegrayt,

n.-Oopyright

Received Monday, 7.20 p.m. LONDON, Dee. 16. Soviet propagandists' charges against Britain become too t'requenV . geuerally to cause muclx comment and Sux*pfiSe "but there is no mistatdng tlie indignation eaused at the weekend by the Soviet Navy's jour'nal "Red Fleet," that the British authorities bungle'd the -convoy to Arehangel in June, 1942. says The Times' diplomatic correspondent. Offieiai. replies given in London reveal that the value of mututioiis shipped to Russia from Oetober, 1941, i to Mareh, 1946, amounted to £308,000,000, and other stores to £120,000,000 Of all that was sent via the north ern route 91.6 per cent. was delivered. A correspondent pointed out that tlie delivery of these supplies to our own forces in the Middle East might wel I have turned partial victory in November, 1941/ into one as decisive as E! Alameim Iie added that the only valid criticism that might be aimed at the convoy was that it was rash under the cireumstanc.es to send a convoy at all. It was felt then, however, that Russia 's need justified the risk. Criticisms Avhich appeared in the Russian naval journal "Red Fleet," included an allegafion that tlie crews of American transports left their sliips at tlie "lirst danger" and that the Admirality did not attac-h the necessary signilicance to ensuring tlie safe arrival of convoys. "Red Fleet" said the Admiralty did not properly organise a convoy to Arehangel in June, 1942, or provide it with sufficient means of defence. 'As a consequence the convoy was seatrered and many ships were lost. hlr. Eden said: "The charges have all been dealt with by the Admiralty in a statement published in Eebruary_ 1945. This has been completely ignored. " in my judgnient the story of these northern convoys eonstitutes one of the most gallant epics in the wliole proud history of the Royal Navy and the Merchant Marine. It is ungraciotis that our ally should single out the fate of one convoy for remonstrance. "