WHO WILL BECOME STALIN’S SECOND IN COMMAND?

Grey River Argus, 3 September 1948, Page 5

WHO WILL BECOME STALIN’S SECOND IN COMMAND?

Four Likely Successors of Zhandov (Received September 2, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 2. The death of M. Zhdanov (who was the closest co-operator and was regarded as M. Stalin’s likely successor), will create a new line-up in the struggle fox’ second place in the Soviet leadership, says the “Daily Mail’s” correspondent at Stockholm. The correspondent mentions foux* men who, he says, are now presented with new opportunities by the sud-_ den passing of M. Stalin’s “crown prince.” They are:—First, M. Pavlovich Beria,’ the head of the Gestapo Organisation, which is popularly known as the O.G.P.U. Secondly, M. Nicolai Bulganin, the head of the Red Army’s countei- espionage organisation. Thirdly, M. Georgei Malenkov, the Secretary of the Communist Party. Fourthly, M. Molotov, the Commissar of Foreign Affairs. “Any one of these,” he adds, “may become M. Stalin’s successor. But the man with the best chances is considered to b e M. Beria, who is certain now to come out .more powerful than he ever was.

Stalin and Molotov In Guard of Honour For Zhandov (Received September’ 2, 9.55 ‘ p.m.), LONDON,. September 2. M. Stalin took over from a young worker in the guard of honour over the body of M. Zhdanov as it lay in state in the Trade Union House, according to the Moscow radio. The guard also included M. Molotov. Thousands of people lined nearby streets when the body arrived at the hall, and a huge crowd gathered in front of Trade Union House.