RUSSIA AS NAZI ALLY

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1940, Page 9

RUSSIA AS NAZI ALLY

A DIMINISHING PROSPECT. Soviet Russia is becoming increasingly suspicious of Germany and is likely to become decreasingly effective as its ally (writes a Washington correspondent of the “Christian Science Monitor’ ’on June 8). This is the etssence of reports reaching the Government here within the last few days from sources abroad. .It is the conviction of persons in responsible positions that, on tne basis of these reports, Germany will not be successful in any attempt to step up Russia’s industrial machine on any vast scale. At present the display of military power by the German army is causing the Soviets considerable uneasiness. The’reaction of the Kremlin is to remain more aloof from the Nazis than it has in the immediate past and to dissociate itself as much as possible from affairs in Western Europe. The Russians, these reports emphasise, are traditionally suspicious of the Nazis, and the trend of events is making them more so. Consequently any attempt by the Nazis to effect a speed-up on a broad scale of Soviet industry would have to be carried out with the “co-opera-tion” of unwilling Soviet leaders who always have been more oriental than occidental in outlook. The experiences of independent experts who have gone to Russia in the past to introduce new methods and techniques in Soviet industry is being recalled. The Soviets, it is pointed out, usually attempt to “improve” Western innovations. And very often the result, according to one who has witnessed some of these attempts, is “disastrous.” GO OWN WAY.

The Soviets, according to those who know them well, prefer to go their own way and make their own industrial and economic mistakes rather than to be shown. This is another reason, according to opinion here, why any outside attempt to reorganise Soviet economy would be futile. . Industry in Russia at present is reported not to be producing even essential necessities on a scale anywhere near meeting the consumer demand. In addition what goods and stores, can be purchased are expensive. And these prices are still on the upgrade with the single exception of bread. The cost of living in Russia, therefore, is said to be excessive. While industrial production is by some reports bogged down—and while some districts of the U.S.S.R. are reported only “three hours ahead of starvation” —-there is, ironically, a good deal of surplus money in circulation. Surplus in the sense that there are not enough goods, and products for which to spend the money. Consequently a substantial part of this surplus cash is being collected by the Government in taxes. It is a situation, the reports point out, favourable to the Russian Budget but unfavourable to the wants of the proletariat. . In the matter of the Russo-Finnish war, the reports indicate that that is now more or less forgotten by the Russian masses, and that since the Red Army was victorious the adventure has received general approval. Because of losses in military equipment, the Red Army is regarded as somewhat weakened. The loss in fighting strength, it is believed, was between 250,000 and 300,000 killed plus another 50,000 soldiers seriously injured. These figures are believed by Washington to be correct within 10 per cent. Much of the .equipment which the Red Army lost in Finland has not been replaced. Gradually new guns and munitions are being added, but it is expected that the Russians will not (completely make up these losses for some time. These losses are sufficient, it is believed, to prevent the I Red Army from waging war on a scale comparable to Germany.