Support for Russia

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20629, 9 August 1941, Page 8

Support for Russia

Sir, —In the great war the Kussians started as our allies, and deserted us in the middle of the contest. In the present war they turned us down at the start and, attacked by Germany, have become our allies willy iiilly. T-he.v are putting up a areal fight, but hardly merit, the extravagant praise which certain local friends are lavishing upon them. Still less docs it seem necessary for us to imitate their 'ideas mild their constitution,• for we have put up a very good fight too, in the main on our own. Perhaps both countries have, at the moment, the constitution that suits them best, and one has no more reason to change than the other. JOHN BULL.

Sir, —The public is deriving some amusement from the efforts of the friends of Russia. Everyone must praise the stand put up by Russia during the past six weeks, but it is well to remember that Britain has been fighting for 96 weeks. During this long time the friends of Russia have been conspicuous by their silence. Russia is a country of great natural rescourccs, with everything requisite for war except rubber. She has double Germany’s man-power; lias 30-times its territory; has been preparing for war for 20 years against the Germans eight. Botli countries have the class of government that fits them for war, Hitler having confessedly based his methods largely on those of ihe Communists. Each gives short shrift to pacifists, conscientious objectors, strikes, and the 40hour week, and the Russians, taught much bv the experience of two years of war under them very eyes, come in fresh to the conflict with the support of an ally who is daily weakening the Germans by sea and air. FRIEND OF BRITAIN.