MILITARY MISSION TO RUSSIA

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 242, 14 October 1942, Page 2

MILITARY MISSION TO RUSSIA

FOSSIBILITY DISCUSSED IN AUSTRALIA,

P.A. Special.

SYDNEY, Oct. 14.

The possible despatch of an Australian military mission to Russia was discussed to-day by the Australian Minister for External Affairs, Dr Evatt, and the newly-appointed Minister to Russia, Mr Slater. The mission would follow the establishment in Moscow of the Australian Legation. AI.F. ofRcers now in the Middle East would probably be appointed to the military mission, which would be welcomed in Army circles here. Young officers would be sent to study the newest developments in mechanised warfare in the area where it was being prosecuted on the greatest scale. The exchange of Ministers between Australia and the Soviet is regarded in political circles as having great international significance. It is emphasised that the move does not, of course indicate Russian abandonment of neutrality with Japan, but it is felt here that the appointments will have an important influence on! the Facifiic situation generally. In an interview to-day, Mr Slater said that the exchange of representatives "should have some effect upon the further successful prosecution of the war." The Australian Minister will leave almost immediately for Moscow. The Australian press generally applauds the Ministerial exchange, which the Sydney Sun to-day says is "an expresion of Australia's deep admiration of the resolution and vigour of her great ally It acknowledges the great comrnon interest which, it is to be hoped, will persist long after the Pacific war has ended. "Russia's great eastern maritime domain, stretching from Vladivostock to the Arctic, rieh in minerals and in many natural resources, will enjoy vast development once Japanese Imperialism has been disposed of. V7ith Russia to the north and China to the south oocupying the whole of the Asian littoral of the Pacific, it does not require much imagination to suggest the vast possibilities of future trade and cultural relations with an Australia strengthened and awakened by the two great wars in which she has taken part within a quarter of a century."