CONCENTRATION CAMPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25849, 21 May 1945, Page 6

CONCENTRATION CAMPS

Sir, —Your correspondent “ Who Is My Neighbour?" will find it more difficult to kindle the spark of suspicion and doubt concerning the Soviet Union than he would suppose. Two years ago, before we even dreamt about such horrors as Belsen concentration camp, the Red Army had ample evidence of German sadism in the treatment of war prisoners and civilians. Tire gas van, the gallows, and mass executions have been common knowledge to the brave people of Soviet Russia during the last four years. No country in the world has equalled the effort of the Soviet Union in its determination to wipe the Belsens, Buch°nwelds, and Daehaus off the face of the earth. In the cause of freedom the Soviet Air Force destroyed the staggering to'al of 100,000 enemy planes in its war with Germany, or twice the number destroyed by Britain and America combined. For every American who gave his life on the European battlefield so that the horrors of the concentration camps would be terminated. 50 Red Army men died for the same cause. There are no torture chambers and terror devices in the Soviet Union, and the great ambition of the Soviet Union’s leaders is to see the whole of mankind enjoying a more cultured existence. The 16 Polish prisoners recently arrested in the Soviet Union will be well housed, well fed, represented by counsel, receive a fair trial, and be discharged if proved innocent. If proved guilty of sabotage, the sentence of the court will be promptly and humanely carried out. Peace between ourselves and the Soviet Union is an impossibility if we allow suspicion and doubt to consume us, and I suggest that friendship with Russia Is worth the sacrifice of a measure of bias. —I am, etc., Oamaru, May 18. Stormovik.