CELEBRATIONS IN ENGLAND

Grey River Argus, 24 February 1942, Page 5

CELEBRATIONS IN ENGLAND

24th. Anniversary [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, Feb. 22. A huge crowd attended a public meeting at the big Stroll Theatre in London to celebrate the twentyfourth anniversary of the Red Army. Hundreds were unable to gain admitance. General Gough said: “Where do you think we would have been to-day, if it had not been for the Red Army? Every German man, gun, and plane which can be spared is in Russia. Russia has saved Britain from bombing and the danger of invasion for at lease eight months. The Germans now are not trying to win victory, but are struggling to avert defeat. I firmly believe that the Russians are going to win, and that the Red Army, not Germany, will launch a big Spring offensive. The Red Army’s staff work has been- magnificent.” The chairman of the meeting said that the British people would work and strive for the soldiers of the Red Army, to equip x )them as though they were their own, which in truth thev were. They pledged themselves to repay the debt the Red Armv had placed on the whole of mankind.

The speakers included representatives of Yugolsavia, Czechoslovakia, Fiance and Australia. There were also present representatives of China, Norway, Canada, and Poland. Mr. Winant (U.S.A.) sent a message of greetings. Read-Admiral Kharlamov, acting head of the Soviet Military and Naval Mission acknowledged greetings from the London Rally. The following message from ST Stafford Cripps was read at a Liverpool meeting commemorating the twenty-fourth anniversarv of the Red Army: “The courage, determination and self-sacrifice shown by the Red Armv. supported bv all the peoples of Russia, have been a decisive in turning back the Germain invaders and protecting our country from Nazi attacks. We must make that point of common sacrifice a "ledge for future cooperation in the world.” It is reported from Moscow that delegations of workers from all the peoples of the Soviet Union have arrived at the front, to greet the troops on the occasion of the Red Arm-- anni.versarv.

(Rec. 11.10.) MOSCOW, Feb. 22. Celebrations in connection with the Red Army, anniversary, including patriotic meetings arid sports, are being held in towns throughout Russia, and also among units of the Russian Army, Navy and Air Force. Entertainment is being arranged for troops at the front, to which trainloads of presents are speeding from all corners of Russia.

Stalin's Order ON THE ANNIVERSARY.

(Rec. 9.45). LONDON, February 23. M. Stalin, in his order-of-the-day to the Red Army, said: “The Red Army knows it is fighting in a noble cause, namely, a war of liberation. Therein lies the Red Army’s strength .and the German Army’s weakness. When Hitler treacherously attacked us last June, he under-estimated his new enemy. We retreated, but, while doing so'; we dealt telling blows. We have never doubted that the enemy would be halted and eventually routed. The war will now he different, because the enemy is no longer able to surprise us. The Soviet people do not delude themselves that the enemy is already beaten. On the contrary, there is a stern struggle still ahead. The Red Army does not aim at destruction of the German 'people. It is probable that this war will end Hitler’s clique, but it would be ridiculous to identify Hitler’s clique with the German people and ' the German State. History teaches that Hitlers come and go, but the German people and .State remain. The Red Army is sometimes accused of annihilating Germans out of hatred for everything German, and it has been alleged that no prisoners have heretofore been taken. That is a stupid lie and a libel on the Red Airmy, which is free from all sentiments ot racial hatred. The Red Army annihilates Germans, not because they are German, but because they want to enslave our country. During recent operations German garrisons in Klin, S'ukhinichi, Andreapol and Toropets were summoned to surrender. Life was promised them. They refused to. surrender, and many lost their lives. The Red Army takes prisoners when they surrender.- It remembers Maxin Gorky’s words: When the enemy refuses to surrender, he is annihilated. “Comrades, I congratulate you on the Red Army’s anniversary. I wish you a complete victory over Germany. Lpng live our glorious motherland! Under Lenin’s banner, forward!”