RED ARMY MORALE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 16 January 1939, Page 3

RED ARMY MORALE

HOW IT HAS SLIPPED THE POLITICAL COMMISSARS Tile efficiency and morale of the Red Army, which is considered questionable by military attaches stationed in Moscow, have been further handicapped by the Political Bureau, the highest governing body in Russia (writes Donald Day from Riga to the ‘ Chicago Tribune”). The political bureau issued a decree which places the political commissars again on equal footing with military commanders, am: provides that both classes of officers must share responsibility for the military piepuredness of the troops. The chief difference in the make-up or the Red Army from the fighting forces of other countries is the fact that the Communist Party attempts to convert all its recruits to Communism and make them willing fighters for the ideals of Marx, Engles, Lenin, and Stalin, the four gfeat prophets of Bolshev ism. The propaganda work is conducted by the political commissars. The special branch of military service "as developed during the civil war period i'i Russia. Communist officers were attached to every company. They left miiitaiy commands and operations to regular officers, many thousands of whom served the Red regime as loyally as they had served the Tsar. The duty of the po.itical commissars was to convert civil war into class war They compiled lists of persons who were executed when Red forces succeeded in winning territory. They preached class hatred and the necessity of Red terror to the soldiers in the Red forces. They selected what prisoners should be shot and those who were pardoned for opposing Communism. They even had authority t<» arrest and execute officers of the Red Army who failed to heed their commands. COMPARED TO CHAPLAINS Political commissars have been compared to chaplains who are attached to armies in other countries. While they deliver sermons about Communism and maintain dose contact with the rank and file of tin Red Army, they also possess unlimited authority which is supported by the GPU (secret police). The corps of political commissars has almost as many ranks as the military coni manders. The lowest rank are atached to each company. The chief of the political department of the Red Army, Deputy Commissar Mechlis, former editor of the Moscow “Pravda,” ranks next to Commissar of War Voroshilov in both military and party councils. Naturally a conflict developed between the regular officer staff and the political commissars. Officers demanded discipline and obedience among the ranks. Over a period of years the officer class succeeded ii strengthening its position. Insignias of rank were restored. Officers slowly began to gain privileges.

Foreign military observers always commented upon the fact that the officers refused to associate with the political commissars. At receptions in restaurants and cafes, in gatherings during manoeuvres, these two officers corps remained in separate groups. The military specialists openly boycotted the political specialists. The result was the greatest purge in the history of Russia. Marshal Tukhachevsky and nine leading commanders of the Rod Army were shot as alleged traitors. During the last 18 months it is conservatively estimated that between 3 band 40 per cent of the military commanders of the Rer armed formes, including army, air force, and navy, have been purged. The political commissars had won. VICTORY CONFIRMED The victory has ben confirmed by the “Krasnaija Svesda,” the official Red Army newspaper, which declares : ‘‘The political” commissar is the chief power in the Red Army. lie is the mar. who teaches the army why it must be always prepared to fight for the Communist Fatherland, which is also the fatherland of all the oppressed workers in the world. “The military commander tells the soldier where to point his bayonet, but the political commander develops the force behind the stab. Both groups of officers arc* equally responsible for the state of military preparedness of the Red Army. The military commanders represent the general staff; the political commander represents the Communist Party. “The latter should not try to undermine the authority of his fellow officers, the military specialists He should cooperate and help him without being officious. He also should participate in everything pertaining to the life of his command, should miss nothing, and also seek to learn something about military tactics so he could replace his officer in case of need.

“There have been many instances of political commissars attempting to hold themselves aloof from military affairs and from the training and military instruction of the troops. They should even attend marksmanship practice, for one of their most serious responsibilities is to keep trunk of all ammunition served out to the troops.” 1 he ‘‘Krasnaija Svesda” admits there is still much disorder in the army, especially among forces in the Far East, but says that Russia's unique system of dual command will be continued. This system, say foreign officers who have watched Soviet manoeuvres, lias had exactly the opposite effect from that desired by the Communist Party. Political commissars are still considered a class apart by the officers. There is no fraternisation between the two groups. The rank and file know of the existing hostility. Here that peculiar Slav characterictic, the love of snitching, play a-great role in destroying morale Both the officer and ti'.e political commissar always are on the watch to obtain some information incriminating each other, and, us petty intrigue i? second nature to the Russian, the moral chaos” condemned by the ‘‘Krasnaija Svesda” flourishes. Hie decision of the Political Bureau to support the authority of the political commissar against the authority won over manders is considered one of the most important internal developments in Russia during the year.