SOVIET DEFENCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 October 1938, Page 7

SOVIET DEFENCES

PROTECTION OF WESTERN FRONTIER VAST AND ELABORATE PLANS CREATION OF WIDE “NO-MAN'S LAND.” (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WASHINGTON, October 13. Reliable reports that the Soviet is hastening the construction of a vast, artificial “no-man’s-land” across her western frontier as the first line of defence against Germany, have reached diplomatic circles here. Russia, seeing the collapse, of efforts to forge an international barricade eastward around Germany, has virtually dropped everything else in order to protect the Ukranian wheat and coal fields from invasion. The programme is designed to slow down and finally halt an approaching army and will be dovetailed into the natural defences of distance and lack of communication. First, a deforestation belt will be made, ranging from a few hundred miles between Russia and Rumania, Poland, Latvia, and Estonia. Secondly, the depopulation of the area and the resettlement of part of the evacuated towns and farms with trusted Red Army men and women, posing as 'peasants and workers to guard the frontiers and check illegal entry will be organised. Thirdly, the destruction or mining of bridges, roads and railways will be carried out. Fourthly, the construction of a formidable Maginot Line on the western boundary and a quarantine belt will be undertaken. Fifthly, a speeding up of railway and highway building behind the line to facilitate the transfer of supplies and troops will be initiated, and sixthly, the development behind this area of huge military concentration centres and well-fortified and provisioned air bases will be started.