THE RUSSIAN ARMY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 53, 31 January 1938, Page 6

THE RUSSIAN ARMY.

Recent events in the Far East and in Soviet Russia itself have served to focus attention upon the Red Army, which holds the power in that republic. Though, eight of its distinguished generals were summarily executed in the ruthless purge of June last, allegedly because of treasonable activities, the world has yet to learn the real truth why M. Stalin found it necessary to have these leaders removed in manner similar to the fate of several of his former civilian comrades. How much the Army’s efficiency has been impaired by its losses in leadership is not ascertainable, but that it still remains a fighting force of tremendous possibilities is wellknown, and it is exercising a powerful influence on Japan in the Far East. So far as men and arms are concerned, Russia has the greatest military power on earth. Its peace time active army is 1,500,000 —more than twice Germany’s, and three times Italy’s. Its trained reserve is 18,000,000, against Italy’s 5,600,000, and Germany’s 1,400,000. Its army possesses more mechanised equipment than any other in the world. Its tanks alone number close to 6000. Its air force is at least twice, and probably three times, as large as any other country’s. It has 18,000 pilots supported by a _ large of trained civilian pilots, .with 150,000 more in training. _ Its navy though otherwise insignificant is said to have the largest submarine fleet in the world. The Manchukuoan border is backed by rings of tough, sharp shooting tractor drivers. The trained reserves all ready for active service are settled at strategic points to make their readiness immediately effective.

What is the purpose of it all ? In general, under M. Stalin, the Soviets have been concerned primarily with their own domestic problems. But with the rise of Herr Hitler the solution of those problems has involved defence against the threat of Nazi attack. There have been statements by Herr Hitler, like his recent explicit threat: “If we had the mineral wealth of the Urals, if we possessed Siberia, if we had the grain fields of the Ukraine, National Socialist Germany would be swimming in surplus prosperity. . . . We will conquer in' the sign of the Swastika.” Moreover, Germany, Italy, and Japan have signed a pact _ against Communism or Sovietism. Notwithstanding her formidable military power the Russian trend has been toward peace. Soviet economy requires no foreign colonies or conquest of markets. It is logical to believe that the Union’s incredible peace time army with its goal of 2,000,000 men is really a defensive force ,• that it is being built not to wage offensive war but because M. Stalin does see a possible combination of Germans, Poles, Italians, and Japanese all attacking the Soviet Union at once. If Russia were really war-minded she could easily pick a quarrel with Japan and thus’come to the aid of China. But Russia is helping China with equipment and so are other European nations. Russia and France have an agreement to aid one another in the event of attack, and this pact, together with the known close friendship of Britain and France, must hold Germany in check.