RUSSIAN FORCES

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 80, 5 April 1938, Page 11

RUSSIAN FORCES

EXTENDING THE NAVY

1 A POLICY OF ISOLATION

THE ENORMOUS COST

Several recent events have made it clear that the Soviet Gpvernment intends to devote an increasing share of its funds available for armaments to expansion of the Soviet fleet, and construction of additional naval bases and facilities at all of Russia's ijaval ports, writes the Russian correspondent of the "Christian Science Monitor."

1 A separate Commissariat for the navy was recently set up for the first time since the revolution; a separate Government department has been established for naval construction inside Russia; and several of the most trusted and competent leaders among Joseph Stalin's immediate associates have been assigned to this work.

But even in 1937 Soviet Russia was spending a larger proportion of its national income upon armaments than any other country. Will the Navy, then, absorb funds at the expense of the Red Army and Air Fleet? Apparently not. There is evidence the Army and Air Fleet will cost more in 1938 than they did in 1937. Whence, then, will come the additional funds for naval' construction? Clearly they can come from only two sources: foreign loans or^from an additional share in the national income. Thus far, Russia has floated no foreign loans for armaments or any other purpose; it shows no tendenpy to do so now. The new Navy, like the Army and Air Force, will be built at the expense of, living standards for the people.

Bolshevik leaders admit this is true; in fact, they boast about it. 'Soviet people, they say, are sacrificing now in order to build for themselves a wonderful future, and they must have armaments to protect this future bliss against the attacks of the envious and hostile outer world. Those who do not have the vision to sacrifice voluntarily must be compelled to do so involuntarily. BUILDING A "GREAT WALL." In fact, the Soviet higher command, now that they have crushed the alleged conspiracy between opposition Communists and foreign Govrenments, have developed a tendency to' build a sdrt of Chinese .Great Wall around Russia, in which the Navy and naval fortifications are bricks. Their attitude may be fairl£ described as follows: "Russia is a vast continental country, have within its own borders adequate resources for complete self-sufficiency. Outside countries are envious and •.fearful, not only on account of Russia's ■ superior resources, but on account of the superior form of government it has devised. "To protect its resources' and its superior Government, Russia . must build a wall around itself. It must build up its Arm/ Air Force, and Navy to a point where no hostile forces can penetrate its borders. It must drive out from inside 'the wall all those who threaten attack from within." v This attitude, if. it proceeds unchecked, promises to cut Russia off from contacts with the outer, world almost as completely as Japanese policy accomplished the sam/ results more'than a' century ago. ' *"' This attitude explains several recent developments in Russia which have puzzled some foreign observers. It explains, for example, , the persistent Soviet attempt to drive out' all foreign consulates except those in Moscow. It explains the systematic 'expulsion during the past year of practically all foreign business representatives in Russia. It explains why so many contracts for foreign technical assistance ; have been cancelled. It explains why the police have ordered most resident foreigners, with the exception of diplomats and a few correspondents, to leave Russia. ■' Even the most ardent Soviet sympathisers, who had married Russian wives, and intended to settle down indefinitely, were given a few days to leave the country. A GERMAN ESTIMATE. The strength of Soviet Russia's armed forces has long been a subject of debate in the/German Press, but generally with the idea of minimising or exaggerating their importance,, according to the viewpoint of the writer, says the Berlin correspondent of the "Monitor." It is, therefore, all the more significant that "Die Wehrmarcht," organ of the Reich Ministry of War, recently should have attempted a'factual examination of the Soviet's forces. ■.■'.• x This article, while1 admitting that Joseph Stalin's ruthless purge has deprived the. r ßed Army of many of its ablest officers, is still of opinion that the land, sea, and air forces at Moscow's disposal are tremendous. Since 1930, it is maintained, the number of Russian soldiers has been tripled, making a peace-time army of 2,000,000, and of 10,000,000 in war-time. • But even more important, according to this paper, is the system 'followed by the Bolsheviks, which, consists in the constant combination of the per-; manent Army and the- Militia', thus ensuring the quickest exploitation of the man-power, of the country. Permanent regimental staffs total 1,500,000 men and can be put into action at short notice. In addition to the regular reserves there are also 13,000,000 to 15,000,000 members of the "Osoviahim." The word "Osoviahim" is not- found in- the Russian language, but is sym--bolical. The letters stand for Russian ■words, which together read, "Society of Special Efefence, Aerial and Chemical." This is a Government organisation which is developing chemical warfare and defence. Even children are being trained in this organisation in the use of gas masks.

An important difference between the modern Russian Army and that of the Tsars is that the latter, though rich in men, was badly equipped and trained for defence rather than attack, whereas the Soviet Army has utilised the experiences of the World War and has up-to-date equipment,' including thousands of tanks.

Many of; the divisions stationed in the west—towards Poland—are completely mechanised, while the numer-' ous Russian cavalry can play a great role in east Europe because of its poor roads. Despite the general economic confusion in the Soviet Union, German official sources do riot seem to think the chaos of 1914 in the Russian Army would be repeated in a future war.

Russia's air and sea forces also appear very important to the writer of this article, who says that 60p0 new aeroplanes were built in 1936 to replace those which had become obsolete, and that by the end of this year the Soviet itotal will be about 17.000 machines. /

As to its sea forces, it is also alleged Russia has created a large submarine fleet of which the outside world knows little (160 submarines with a total of 80,000 tons, according to another estimate). The establishment of a new naval base on the Kola Peninsula on the White Sea, which will give Hussian ships freedom of action all round its north coast, also'is considered a great significance.