THE SOVIET WAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23953, 31 October 1939, Page 10

THE SOVIET WAY

INVASION OF POLAND STORY AS TOLD IN RUSSIA “REJOICING” PEASANTS The Red Army Newspaper, Red Star waxes lyrical to-day over the reception which it claims has been given to the Soviet invaders by the Polish population, telegraphed the Moscow correspondent of the Manchester Guardian on September 18. It tells how the White Russians “ rejoiced” over the Red Army’s entry, how Polish flags were removed and replaced with Red flags, and how poverty-stricken the people were. Their garb is described in terms sounding woeful even to the shabby Russian peasants now suffering from the dearth cf clothing. The peasants are reported to have been elated over instructions from a political commissar to pasture their cows in the landlords’ fields. The atmosphere apparently resembled that of Russian villages in the Revolution in 1917, when peasants seized estates, expecting in their simple minds that the Soviets would allow them to retain the land. An early introduction to the blessings of collectivised farming as practised under Moscow rule is assured to the erstwhile Polish citizens, judged by the hosts of stereotyped resolutions filling to-day’s press that welcome their “ brethren ” —brethren of class and nationality—to share the “ happy life.” “Aid for Independence ” Alexei Tolstoi, writing in Izvestia, rhapsodies: “We are neutral in the Soviet way.” Foreign quarters remark that the invasion of Poland fulfils the Soviet way, the third point of Stalin’s party congress speech pledging Russian aid to the neighbouring country seeking to maintain its independence against an aggressor. Trustworthy quarters in Moscow confirm that the advance on the first day carried the Red Army an average of 40 miles into Polish territory. Although the authorities are probably willing to allow reports that the invaders are meeting with some resistance from the Polish forces to go undenied in order to boast of the “ glorious victories,” the quarters mentioned indicate that the fortifications—mainly trenches long prepared agamst possible Russian aggression—were manned at only a few points by frontier guards, excepting possibly a few caught in the pocket around Vilna, the Polish troops were facing the other way, and were unprepared to cope with an attack in the back. Military experts here point out that the speed of the advance confirms reports that the movements are entirely mechanised, tanks leading troops who are riding in lorries. Bessarabia “Separated” The Rumanian Minister was again assured that Russia intends to be neutral respecting Rumania, but for three days the press has published a map delineating Bessarabia separately from Rumania. This practice had been quietly dropped when Rumania established relations with the Soviet Union. Calling at the Polish Embassy, I found employees packing and was informed that the Ambassador had been instructed by the Polish Government to leave as soon as possible. The Embassy and the consulates at Leningrad, Minsk and Kiev employ over 100 Poles. It is possible that they will depart within a day or two, but not certain, especially as the railway services are limited. The Polish Government insists that they shall all travel to Rumania together. “ The rejoicing native population of the Western Ukraine are greeting the Red Army as liberators from the Polish oppression.” according to a report received in Moscow from M. Ivanov, chief of the propaganda branch of the Soviet troops which invaded Poland, reported a Reuter message, published on the same day. This report adds that the population, who are stated to be poverty-stricken, are enthusiastically gathering at meetings organised by the propagandi divisions of the Red Army.