MONGOL RATTLES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20003, 31 July 1939, Page 5

MONGOL RATTLES

SOVIET FIGHTING JAPAN GRIM WARNING VOICE NOTED RUSSIANS KILLED PURGE STORIES REPUTED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Independent Cable Service.) (Reed. July 31, 11.30 a.m.) MOSCOW, July 30. General Kholzunov and three other high officers of the Soviet aii' force were to-day reported to have heen killed in a crash.

An official communique states that General Kholzunov and his brother officers were killed while fulfilling their duties. Many army officers, including Marshal Voroshilov and his aides, signed a statement paying tribute to the dead men.

Observers express the opinion that this belies the stories of a new purge recently published in the foreign press, as the statement contains the names of men alleged to have been removed from command. Elaborate Funeral Planned General Kholzunov and other air force officers, including Major Cherkassov who was a bombing expert, are believed to have died during the fighting in Ou:er Mongolia. They will be given an elaborate military funeral at which Marshal Voroshilov will be the chief mourner. Reports that General Shtern, the commander of the First Far Eastern Army has been removed are dispelled by his signature to the statement paying a tribute to the dead flyers. Colonel Bogolubov, a member of the Soviet General Staff, writing in Izvestia, frankly admits that Soviet planes, tanks, artillery and troops are fighting the Japanese forces on the Outer Mongol border. The article warns Japan that war against the Soviet can only end in defeat for the “Fascist usurpers” and asserts that the Soviet Army is the most powerful in the -world.