MILITARY STRENGTH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19990, 15 July 1939, Page 4

MILITARY STRENGTH

EUROPE’S GREAT POWERS RUSSIA’S DECISIVE ROLE LEFT BOOK CLUB TALK The decisive role which must be played by Russia in any trial of military strength on the Continent of Europe, such as has appeared imminent for ,the past year at least, was emphasised by Mr. E. Harris, the speaker of the evening at the Left Hook Club’s fortnightly meeting. Mr. Harris was reviewing Max Werner's “Military Strengths of the Powers,” and declared that the book gave conclusive proof of the Soviet Union’s mastery of the situation.

Information such as is contained in Werner’s book, Mr. Harris said, should be of the utmost importance at a time like the present, and should help the individual citizen to form his opinion and to exercise his influence in the formation of his country's foreign policy. It was especially valuable in counteracting the depressive effect of such statements as those attributed to Colonel Charles Lindbergh, regarding the overwhelming superiority of Germain air preparations. “Economic Potential” The reviewer referred to an opening chapter on military factors, of which an explanation was given for the benefit of the lay reader, and of the “economic potential” which represents a country’s capacity to endure and to produce, from its own resources. the materials required for war. The development of theories on the “time-table war,” and tiie depressing expression of statesmanship contained in the view that whoever wins the armament race may well win the next war, also receive attention, from the author. Werner’s appreciation of the situation is developed on the theory that modern war must be essentially a war of movement, with the offensivedefensive as the prime move from the point of view of the major nations. Classification of Powers Only France, he believes, is incapable of anything but a purely defensive war: though he does not credit Poland, and other nations latterly spoken of as Great Powers, with. th<* capacity to endure war on their own resources. The two countries that are fullv equipped for totalitarian war, Werner says, are Germany and Russia, and the latter country as better equipped than Germany, not only for immediate offensive measures, but also for endurance through a protracted war if necessary. Germany, for her part, must stake all on a quick decision, failing which she must face inevitable defeat. The power of the Soviet Union has been grossly under-estimated by the countries of Western Europe, according to Werner, and the countries which have Russia as their ally in » a test of strength with the totalitarian powers must be successful.

“We here in New Zealand are vitally interested in a pact which would give Britain and France the reinforcement of Russia’s might, in any struggle with the totalitarian powers,” said Mr. Harris, summing up his review, “and the help and support which Russia could give in the defence of the Pacific.”