TIMING OF ACTION BY RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 268, 10 August 1945, Page 7

TIMING OF ACTION BY RUSSIA

Three Months’ Preparation (Received August 9, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 9. "Russia could not have been expected to enter the Far Eastern war earlier, states the "Daily Telegraph’s military writer. "The three months which have passed since VE-day are none too long a time in which to execute a complete change of front across the best part of two continents.

“It would not be true to suggest that Russia’s intervention is too late to be militarily advantageous. Collapse of the Japanese homeland would not necessarily mean that the more than one million Japanese in Manchuria, China and elsewhere would immediately lay down their arms. Russia’s intervention undoubtedly will bring the war in China to a much earlier close .than otherwise could have been hoped.” , ' , The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Express” says Russia’s declaration was finally decided at Potsdam. It can be assumed that the declaration was limed to follow the launching of the first atomic bomb and the Japanese Government’s announcement that it was not surrendering. In Washington today a Government official, who refused permission to quote his name, told Press representatives that an agreement for Russia’s entry was concluded at Potsdam. He recalled that it was authoritatively stated that the Russians agreed at the Yalta conference that they would enter in due course, but that no decision was made there on its timing. Some surprise was expressed that the Russians had decided to fight Japan at such an early date, but. there have been persistent unofficial reports that the -Soviet would enter the war against Japan 90 days after Germany's collapse on May 8. Cairo Pact Reopened? Official quarters in London received the Russian declaration of war against Japan with great satisfaction, eays Reuters dip-, lomatic correspondent. It is regarded as one of the main achievements of the Potsdam conference, and one of the first fruits of the talks between Generalissimo Stalin and Mr. Soong. , . Informed quarters suggest the following diplomatic implications of Russia’s decision:—(l) That Russian participation in the war in the Far East, even, if only in the final stages, will greatly strengthen the practical co-operation between the three great Powers; (2) that Russia is not bound by the Cairo Declaration, which was signed by Britain, America and China, on the disposal of Japanese and Japanese-occupied territories, ami therefore this question presumably will be reopened. „ , , , The significance of the new declaration is that Russia now provides new bases less than 500 miles from the Japanese mainland. The Soviet Government has always kept, powerful forces in the East, and it is known that, the Japanese, too, have a strong army in Manchuria.