STALIN'S TRIUMPH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 303, 23 December 1939, Page 8

STALIN'S TRIUMPH.

NAZI CHANCE LOST.

LIQUIDATION OF BOLSHEVISM

BALTIC MILITARY VIEW.

BUDAPEST, Hungary,

If Germany ever had hoped to liquidate Bolshevism in Soviet Russia, the Nazis missed their greatest opportunity shortly after the Red invasion of Poland, according to the beliefs of military experts in the Baltic (countries whose opinions have been received here.

The opportunity came after the NaziSoviet non-aggression treaty of August 24 had been signed, but before Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop went to Moscow on September 2& to sign a friendship treaty. The Red army, since the purge, la officered and led by officer* without higher military education. The Red fleet is in a similar situation. The Baltic militarists assert that in such a position Russia could no more withstand Germany than Poland could, and the outcome would have been certain. When the Red advance into Poland waa nearly complete the Russians were almost 200 miles away from their strongly fortified lines along the former eastern frontier of Poland. The Baltic experts assert that three German inotorised divisions, such as were used in Poland, placd in eastern Estonia and supported by the Estonians and Latvians, would have defeated the Soviet forces at Pskov (a few miles east of the Estonian-Soviet border). They assert it is doubtful if Dictator Stalin's regime would have survived such a defeat. There were a number of reasons, the Baltic military men believe, which probably influenced the German general staff not to take this step. First: If Bolshevism' were dissolved England would gain strength, particularly in the Near East, where Russia still is a menace, particularly to Britain's ally, Turkey. ■Second: So long as Stalin rema ins in power and apparently willing to cooperate with Fuehrer Hitler, the Germans also are in a position to place great pressure upon Turkey and Rumania, whose independence England has guaranteed. There remains the possibility of Germany supplying the Red army with a military mission to lead a against Turkey or Rumania. Observers here, in the words of one, believe that "Rumania is. browning nicely and might" soon be served on a silver platter." Russia wants back its World War lost territory of Bessarabia. Bulgaria wants back Dobruja. Hungarians believe they would have German and Italian good wishes if they sought to retrieve Transylvania.