VISIT TO BRITAIN

Chronicle (Levin), 10 January 1947, Page 5

VISIT TO BRITAIN

Press Assn.-

Soviet Army Chiefs Accept Invitation MONTY'S FRIENDLY RECEPTION

Bv Telegraph

•Copyright

Received Thursdav, 8.10 p.m. ' - LONDON, Jan. 9 . Marshal Yasilevsky, Chief of . the Soviet General Statf, has aecepted an invitation to visit Britain in the spring as the British Arnty's guest. Announcing this in Moscow last night Field-lMarshal Lord Montgontery said he conveyed the invitation* to the Marshal to inspeet ^ British Army establishments and ^ hring with, him other distinguished 1 soldiers at his choice. Al'ter consulting his Government Marshal Vasilevsky had aceepted officially. "Ijet them all eonte," Lord Montgomery said when the names ot' Marshals Koniev. Govorov and Sokolovsky were mentioned. In talking with representatives • of the British, Soviet and Ame-

riean press, Lord Montgomery, says The Times' Moscow eorres])ondent, emphasises that he is visiting. the Soviet Union as a soldier, saying it is only natnrai after his tonr of the lTnited States as General Eiseifhower's .guest during whieh he inspected Ameriean training establishments and talked "soldiers' business" that he vshould have come to the Sov'ret Union where he has heen received with the greatest possible friendliness and 1'rnnkness. " AVonderful" was the ivord Monty used to deseribe the atmosphere in whieh his talks with the Soviet military leaders had been eondueted. At the same time he was enreful to leave no doubt; that Ihe pnrpose of his visit did not extend beyond its published aim, namely to make contaet with the Soviet Army and discuss military matters only. With'in this scopc every (piestion he had put had been answered. Field Jfarslral Montgomery speht the morning visiting Stalin Aeademy whieh is the Soviet Army's sehool i'or training offieers of the armoured and mechanical troops. ITe told Marshal Rybalko, eommander of the Soviet Army lank forces : "The training is exIremely praetical and very impressive." Lord Montgomery described to tlrn offieers some of his experienees in tho North Afriean ea rn pa i gi