1904 BLOT ERASED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21809, 4 September 1945, Page 4

1904 BLOT ERASED

RUSSIAN HISTORY STALIN HAILS VICTORY KURILE ISLES GAINED LONDON, Sept. 2. “Now we can say that the conditions necessary for world peace have already been won.” said Generalissimo Stalin, broadcasting to the people and the armed forces personnel the announcement of Japan’s surrender. “We have a special account > of our own to settle with Japan," he said. The Japanese invaders inflicted most serious damage not only on our Allies but on our own country. Japan began her aggression against Russia as far back as 1904. During the Russo-Japanese war it was plain that Japan had set herself the aim of wresting the entire Far East from Russia. We men of the older generation have waited 40 years Cor this day. Now it has come.

Pearl Harbour Precedent

Generalissimo Stalin, after comparing with Pearl Harbour Japan’s attack on Russia without a declaration of war in 1904, referred to the Japanese aggression against the Soviet Union in 1918, 1983 and in the area of the Mongolian People’s Republic. He said the Russian defeat in 1904 was a black stain on the history of Russia, and her people had confidently awaited the day when Japan would be routed and the dark blot wiped out. Japan’s surrender meant that southern Sakhalin and the Kurile Islands would pass to the Soviet Union, and from now on would not serve as a means for isolating Russia from the ocean and as a base for a Japanese attack on Russia’s Far East. They would serve, instead, as a means of direct access to the ocean for the Soviet Union and as a base for the defence of their country against Japanese aggression.

Long-awaited Peace Comes “We know that from now on we can consider the country safe from the threat of a Gentian invasion in the west or a Japanese invasion in the east,” he said. “The long awaited peace for the nations of the whole world has come. Glory to the arrrfed forces _of Russia, America, Britain and China which have won victory over Japan. Glory to our great people. _ Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in battles for the honour and victory of our Motherland. May our country thrive and prosper.” The Moscow radio announced that to-morrow \vould be observed as the official V.P-holiday.

Emphasising the need for a continuation of collaboration by the Allies established during the war, the Moscow paper Pravda says: “It is natural that some differences have arisen, but —a much more important fact —they are being surmounted successfully. The world has the right to look with hope to the future.” The Moscow radio sent a message to President Truman congratulating him, the United States Government, the people and the armed forces on the brilliant victory over Japan.