RANDOM NOTES

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 208, 29 May 1940, Page 8

RANDOM NOTES

Sidelights On Current Events (By Kickshaws.) Patients at Auckland Hospital have had their beer allowance cut off. We wondered what it was that was filling our hospitals. * * * A fashion expert says you can’t cheat Father Time. Nevertheless, most women seem to drive a hard bargain. What constitutes a good golfer, it is stated, is a matter of controversy. Sometimes we think it is an ability to drive to the course at 60 each weekend. « « « News that Trotsky has been attacked in his home in Mexico City by a large number of men armed with machineguns has probably more significance at this moment than might be imagined. It is by no means improbable that some big changes are brewing in Russia, not entirely disconnected with Trotsky. The situation is, however, somewhat confused at the moment. It is becoming more and more obvious, however, that Stalin’s hold has diminished. The beginning of this state of affairs, according to those who have studied the situation for many years, started when Stalin signed the treaty with Germany. There have been many suggestions why Stalin took this step, but it appears that his hatred of the Jews, especially Trotsky, was the fundamental urge that caused him to make an error of judgment Trotsky is under no illusions regarding his own personal position In the game that appears to have started in Russia. There is not the slightest chance of Trotsky regaining his power iu Russia. Trotsky, nevertheless, is pulling strings, waiting and watching the opportunity to overthrow Stalim Trotsky’s ambition is not for personal power, but to manipulate the overthrow of Stalin, the Jew hater. Then will come the return of the original Leninist form of government. Whatever the merits or demerits of any form of communism, there is little doubt that Stalin’s form of belligerent imperialism is not calculated to assist the Allies at the present moment. Moreover, the immediate result of Stalin’s'pact with Hitler caused a rift in the Communist Party in Russia. For the first time in 21 years loyal Leninists refused to follow their leader. Thus was created a focal point of deep unrest. Trotsky was not slow to use his opportunity. Observers in Russia are forming the opinion that Stalin has created for himself difficulties which eventually may bring his own downfalL When Stalin gave Hitler the key to the door of aggression he acted largely on emotionalism. His personal hatred of Trotsky grew into a hatred for the whole of the Jewish race. Moreover, Stalin took action against all Jews in Russia. Even the founders of the Soviet State have been disposed of by Stalin. The alarming purges in the Russian army were largely directed against Jewish army leaders. Everything wag done to make it impossible for Trotsky to provide a following in Russia. Kameneff and Zinovieff, intimate associates of Lenin, were victims of a purge. A large area of Siberia has been set apart as a ghetto for Jewish families. Meanwhile Stalin lives in a house at the end of an avenue 15 miles long guarded by pill boxes, armoured cars, and secret police. « ♦ » The revolt against Stalin’s new policy has been gathering momentum for some time. Indeed, the recent success of Hitler’s alarming aggression in Europe has fauned this revolt. More and more Russians are beginning to see that instead of the Russian bear wagging its Germain tail, the tail will wag the bear, unless something is done to curb Germany. The revolt in the Russian political machine is led by Dimitroff. This individual escaped from the clutches of Hitler after the Reichstag fire. Dimitroff is not exactly loved by the German leaders. Goering himself threatened Dimitroff in a public court with the words: “I’ll get you yet." Stalin, in fact, is discovering that there are many close associates who are determined to promote bis downfall. They are receiving assistance from Trotsky. From his home in Mexico he has been organizing and directing everything calculated to overthrow Stalin. • «■ » For the last nine months Stalin has been conducting a private war against the promoters of Trotsky’s schemes. The recent promotion of Voroshiloft to figurehead duties is a move in the game. This individual is one of Stalin’s “yes-men.” He was the son of. a locksmith. Stalin placed him in the position of head of the army, but Marshal Blucher and Tukhachersky did all the technical work. These two became popular idols in the Russian army. Tukhachersky disappeared under mysterious circumstances two years ago. His body was burned. Blucher was too much an idol for even Stalin to shoot. He was sent instead to the Far East and while there turned a forlorn hope into a Soviet victory. The purges in the Russian army did not end the determination to continue with the anti-Stalin policy. Indeed, the inefficiency of the Russian army in the war against Finland has stirred Stalin’s opponents to further action. Some observers declare that the Red Army rank and file disliked being used as instruments of imperialism in a war against the Finnish working class. Leaders of the Red Army have been contemptuous of Voroslnloff for months, making bis position untenable. The army it is claimed is in a state of sullen resentment against ptann. Blucher, who escaped the fate of lukhachersky, is now the army’s accepted leader. Meanwhile thousands of miles away Trotsky is patiently pulling strings. No wonder Stalin has recently “shot up” this grey-bearded Jew. * * -

“Would you kindly settle an argument per medium of your interesting column,” says “Constant Reader.” “Who shot down most enemy planes in the Great War? Also if any French aces shot down more planes titan Baron Richthofen.” [The following list is given for what it is worth, although the method of computation in each case has been that, of the country for which the pilot was fighting:—Baron Manfred von Richthofen, Germany, 80 machines: Captain R. Fonck, France, 75; Major E. Mannoek, Britain, 73: Lt.-Col. M. A. Bishop, Britain. 72; Major 11. R. Collishaw, Britain, 6S; Ober-Lieut. E. Udet. Germany, 62: Captain J. M. McCudden, Britain, 57; Ober-Lieut- E. Lowenherdt, 56: Captain McLaren, Britain, 54; Captain G. Guytineycr. France, 53; Major I’. Fullard, Britain, 53; Major W. G. Barker, Britain, ok; Captain A. W. Beauchamp-Proctor, Britain 52; Lieut, Werner Voss, Germany, 48; Captain R. A. Little, Britain, 4< ; Captain G. E. 11. McElroy Britain, 46; Lt. C. Nungesser, France, 45; Lieut. Fritz Rumey, Germany, 45; Lieut. B. Lorzer, Germany, 45; Hpt. R. Berthold, Germany. 44; Captain A. Ball. Britain, 43; Lt. P. Bauenier, Germany, 43; Lieut. J Jacobs, Germany, 43; Captain J. I. T. Jones, Britain, 4Q; Baron Lothar von Richthofen. Germa.tiy. 40.