FAITH IN RUSSIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 November 1941, Page 7

FAITH IN RUSSIA

DECLARED BV LORD BEAVERBROOK FULLEST AID URGED. ADDRESS TO MANCHESTER WORKERS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 8. The Minister of Supply,’ Lord Beaverbrook, speaking at Manchester this afternoon to 1500 men and women workers, urged the fullest aid to Russia, in whose armies he had great faith. He said: “In all probability the Germans have got 100,000 or moie guns. There has never been known such an immense assembly of guns in the world —not in the hands of all the nations. They have many tanks and a big fleet of aeroplanes. These are all pointed in the end at Britain. There is only one capital in the world where the Germans can get a final peace, and that capital is London. As long as we go on there is no peace for the enemy.” At the Anglo-American-Soviet conference, Mr Harriman (U.S.A.) and himself had agreed to send to Russia as many aeroplanes and tanks a month as M. Stalin had asked for, and this number amounted to a figure which M. Stalin estimated he had lost as a result of the fighting and the loss of territory, Lord Beaverbrook said. The number of planes and tanks agreed for October had been sent.

Wheat was another important commodity which Britain had agreed to supply to Russia. Britain had taken from her stock wheat which was stbred in Canada, and sent large quantities ho Russia. Another vital commodity of which Russia was short was aluminium, and she had asked Britain for a considerable amount. Lord Beaverbrook revealed that he had been an aluminium hoarder, and when he learned of the Russian request, which was made before the Moscow meeting, he consulted with Mr Churchill. “I told him I did not know whether I could give them all of it, but Mr Churchill said, ‘Give it.’ When I told Stalian he was pleased, but I told him it was Churchill who had done it. Stalin he rvas pleased, but I told him war horse’!”

Referring to M. Stalin, Lord Beaverbrook said: “He is a great man. I could feel the pulsating power of the man. The Russians are led well and wisely. I put my faith in that man’s leadership.”