RUSSIAN CALM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 June 1941, Page 5

RUSSIAN CALM

PEOPLE WORKING AT TOP SPEED BRITISH CORRESPONDENT’S REPORT. FOLLOWING ON EXTENDED TOUR. LONDON, June 26. The Kremlin permitted the Moscow correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain to make a three-day tour from the Black Sea to Moscow. He says the whole country is working at top pitch with complete Slavic calmness and confidence in victory. Mobilisation was accomplished apparently without a hitch. In striking contrast to France last year, there has been no panic among refugees and transport is therefore functioning smoothly, though civilian travel is severely restricted. The skies over Central Europe and Russia appeared completely under Soviet control. He saw no German planes in the Ukraine. The news of the outbreak of war came as a startling surprise to the people in the provinces by the Black Sea. They listened open-mouthed to M. Molotov's broadcast on June 22, but successive broadcasts aroused great enthusiasm. The outbreak of fighting brought a surge of patriotism. Troops on leave packed the railway stations as they hurried to rejoin their units, and newly-mobilised men marched through the streets in their shirt sleeves.

SOVIET INDUSTRY . EXTRA HOURS AUTHORISED. LONDON, June 27. The commander of the Moscow garrison has imposed a midnight curfew on Moscow. All offices must begin work at 8.30 a.m. Amusements, restaurants and shops must close at 10.45 p.m. The Soviet Supreme Council has issued a decree authorising from three to four hours extra work daily in industrial, agricultural, transport and commercial undertakings. Overtime payments are regulated and all Government employees are surrendering their holidays and will receive pay instead. Iran has advised the Kremlin that it intends to observe strict neutrality. Sweden has agreed to watch Russian interests in Germany and Hungary.