Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1943. OUR RUSSIAN ALLIES.
A_ GREAT and glowing tribute of admiration is, as it should
be, paid to Russia, her armies and people for the mighty effort and contribution they are making to the defeat of Axis gangsterdom. "With Soviet armies sweeping forward irresistibly in Caucasia and in areas extending far to the north, it is possible to believe confidently that the foundations of future victory were laid, in the indomitable and heroic defence of Stalingrad and that in no very long time an end will be made of those who have invaded and defiled Russian soil. It should never be forgotten, however, that it is at the cost of terrible sufferings and sacrifices that Russia is playing her part so well and valiantly against the common enemy of all humanity that is or aspires to be free.
It is well understood that even such victorious blows as are now being struck by the Red Army and Air Force entail a heavy and continuing loss of gallant lives, but that this is only a part of the price Russia, is paying for her own ultimate victory and that of the United Nations is brought out clearly in facts like those stated in a report from Moscow which was cabled yesterday. Painting a picture of the sufferings of Russia at war, the report declared that thousands of the people of the Soviet Union will die of starvation this winter, that people of all ages are underfed and ill clad and that although British and American supplies of war material have helped Russia’s fight, Stalin has reluctantly decided that weapons must still come before wheat in Soviet production. !
Ample evidence is available that this 'picture is in no way overdrawn. For instance, Air Wendell Willkie, in a recent speech in Toronto after his return from a visit to Russia, gave a graphic account of tjie terrific cost in lives, and in hardship and privation, at which the Russian people are withstanding invasion and upholding the Allied cause. Mr Willkie spoke of thousands of Russian towns and villages destroyed, their people homeless, five million Russians killed, wounded or missing; a large part of the.fertile farm lands of south-western Russia in Nazi hands; food scarce; fuel almost unknown in the homes of the people; civilian clothing nearly gone; children as young as eight and ten years running war machines and doing farm work.
Commenting on these facts, the “Christian Science Monitor” suggested in a recent editorial that:—
Now it is that Americans have their opportunity—to prove that allies in need are allies indeed. Many have contributed generously to Russian War Relief, but the urgent necessity for aid increases daily. Individual contributions not only help a very deserving people, but serve to tighten the bonds of a new friendship which will prove mutually beneficial in post-war years. This unofficial aid does something official lend-lease supplies cannot do. ' , •.<
11l the extent to which unofficial aid is practicable, sympathy with Russia might very well find tangible expression in this country and in other parts of the Empire. The root difficulty no doubt is that of transport, particularly by sea. Gifts of food and clothing for Russia certainly could be obtained by popular appeal, but whether arrangements could be made for the transmission of such gifts to Russia is at best doubtful.
11l any ease the establishment as soon as possible of conditions in which Allied nations more fortunately placed can contribute to the relief of the necessities of the Russian people must be an essential aim. That aim should be taken up and pursued the more eagerly since there is every reason to believe, as the British Ambassador to the Soviet Union, Sir Archibald Clark-Kerr, said in a New Year message, that the bitter struggle for a common cause has brought about an understanding between Britain and Russia which was missing in the uneasy years of peace. That understanding, it may be . hoped, will work out with benefit to all peaceful nations in the years that follow the Avar.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 January 1943, Page 2
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677Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1943. OUR RUSSIAN ALLIES. Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 January 1943, Page 2
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