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THE CHINA MAIL, AUGUST 31, 1939.
MIGHT OF SOVIET ARMY
"Times" Assesses Its Resources
London, August 11.
AN INTERESTING ARTICLE entitled “The Formidable Power of the Soviet Army" appeared in this morning's issue of "The Times" over the signature of the paper's special correspondent in Moscow.
"The Workers' and Peasants' Red last year reduced the efficiency while Army under Marshal Voroshiloff's it presumably strengthened the loyal- command, is a formidable fighting ty of the fighting forces.
force," the correspondent, wrote, "In numbers, it approaches the three- million mark in peace time, being
composed
thirty
of over one hundred in- fantry divisions and at least cavalry divisions.
1.
"This large cavalry force is of parti- cular utility in a country which is not well equipped with railways and roads, and of which large regions on the Asiatic frontier consist of steppes, deserts, and mountains."
"Upon the completion of a mobil- isation, some four million men would be under arms," he continued. There is а compulsory military service period of two years which gives the country a reserve of trained men amounting to something like twelve million."
"As regards the first necessity
of modern warfare, petrol, Russia Is perhaps better placed than any other power
United except the States, for she is sure of petrol," the writer went on.
"Besides the world-famous Baku oilfields, there is an important oil region between the Volga and the Ural known as "the second
Baku" which already produces 6,000 tons of petroleum daily; Two neighbours, Iran and Iraq, are at hand with further. huge supplies."
CO-OPERATION WITH WEST
The writer then referred to Soviet Russia's co-operation with the West- ern Powers.
"One of the obstacles to this co- operation is the difference in
the gauge between the Russian and Polish railways, but this could, if necessary, be surmounted," he said.
EXCELLENT EQUIPMENT
"Thus, Russia does not lack man- power for any campaign she might undertake, he added. "The latest in- formation from experts show that the "It is thought that any attack on army is well-equipped in most Russia would most likely take the modern weapons.
northerly direction. It is regarded as "The rank and Ale are acknowledg-significant that this year's army man- oeuvres are to be held in the Lenin- ed to be excellent fighting men, ex-
grad area: tremely
It is generally believed brave, hardy, enthusiastic, and well-instructed. The tradition of that any serious threat to the inde- or Latvia would Russian training has produced non-
Russian army bring the
over their commissioned officers whose qualities of thoroughness are accompanied by a certain lack of initiative and reluc- tance to take responsibility,
FLYING WITH THE DEFENDING FORCES.-Taken by a photo- grapher accompanying a flight of Wellington Bombers, part of the De- fence force of the last week's air exercises, from Feltwell, Norfolk, R.A.F. Station. The flight represented an “attack upon the Enemy," and the machines flew over a distance of 100 miles out over the sea. When this picture was taken the machines were flying at an altitude of two- -and-a-quarter miles-well above the clouds.
produced non pendence of Estonia out to the odd POPE PIUS
frontiers.
"This belief accounts for the diff- culty in the Moscow diplomatic nego- "This defect becomes more pro- tiations providing for the case of nounced the higher the rank. This is "indirect aggression" the last partly the effect of the 'purge' which standing obstacle."-Havas.
OFF THE RECORD
ED
TUNNEL OF
out-
ON HOPES OF PEACE
Vatican City, To-day. Pope Pius XII received on Saturday, in the presence of several cardinals, at Castel By ED REED. Gandolfo a group of pilgrims
LOVE
TUNNEL
* UN, The. Tags
SPEED BOAT
OF
LOVE
"We keep it around for married couples that want to go through in a hurry!”
Here's Luck
EWO BEER
in
PLATINUM FOX
OSLO, TO-DAY.
A LIVE NORWEGIAN PLATINUM FOX HAS BEEN SMUGGLED INTO 'SWEDEN.
Norwegian fox-breeders, therefore, are now confronted with the pos- poly of selling extremely sibility that they have lost the mono- valuable platinum fox furs.
last
Norwegian law forbids the export who are now in Rome on a Norwegian police,
of live platinum foxes and lately the on several occa.. pilgrimage to the tomb of sions, have been able to prevent the Pius X.
smuggling out of platinum foxes at The pope delivered an address
the very last moment.. which, after recalling that his illus-able to prevent the smuggling out of Norwegian fox-breeders have been trious predecessor so greatly loved
platinum foxes
very at the peace that he was unable to survive the outbreak of the Great War, he
moment. went on to say that he himself since frequently offered up to 150,000 Nor- Norwegian fox-breeders have been This elevation to the pontifical throne last March had devoted all his efforts to the maintenance and consolidation of peace based on justice which guar-. anteed the freedom and honour of all nations.
In order to attain his object he had even so far as was compatible
for a Trans-
from abroad wegian crowns single live platinum fox. Ocean
DEMOCRATS
with the duties imposed on him by ISSUE PEACE
the cure of souls-put aside other tasks.
CAUTIOUS RESERVE He emphasized that he had adopted the attitude of "cautious reserve," 80 that his actions on behalf of peace should not be impeded or even ren- dered impossible from any quarter, profoundly conscious as he was of the grave duties incumbent on him alike towards the church and the whole of humanity.
The pope continued:—
MESSAGE
OBLO, TO-DAY. THE CONFERENCE OF THE IN- TERNATIONAL PARLIAMENTARY UNION, WHICH IS MEETING HERE, UNANIMOUSLY --ADOPTED SATURDAY A RESOLUTION AP. PEALING TO ALL STATES TO SEEK A PEACEFUL SOLUTION OF CONFLICTS.
ON
At the suggestion of the British da- "We do not abandon hope that legation, and in view of the present counsels inspired by moderation and international day, than staan (UE SER Justice will prevail and thus prevent resolution was telegraphically con- the outbreak of a conflict which municated to the governments of all would certainly be materially more States represented in this Triternational destructive and morally and spiritually Fazliamentary Union, as well as to Indre minoul even thìn the last war. the governments of Germany, Italy
STILL CONFIDENT
und Soviet Russia.#Trans-Cthafi. "We are still confident that those .04 who rule nations will, when the time for taking the final decision has come, to pray incessantly to the god who recoil from assuming the onerous guides the destinies of nations that responsibility of appealing to force." he may restore peace and harmony
He concluded by urging his hearers between all peoples.-Trans-Ocean.