MAY BAY

Southland Times, Issue 18931, 3 May 1923, Page 5

MAY BAY

SOVIET’S CELEBRATIONS PICTURESQUE REVIEW OF TROOPS AN IMPRESSIVE GATHERING. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MOSCOW. May 1. (Received May 2. 7.35 p.m.) A great review of 20.000 troops before Trotsky was the feature of the May Day celebrations, while giant bombing aeroplanes flew overhead the Red soldiers of the Moscow garrison, with three massed bands, marched past Trotsky, outside the high Kremlin walls, their smart appearance proving that the Russian army was not a collection of ill-equipped men nor an impotent, rabble. The whole force was paraded in new uniforms and long grey-green oversoats. with narrow red and yellow facings and wearing picturesque green and red Assyrian helmets. Here and there, uniformed young women, who had earned distinction on some field of battle, marched proudly at the head of a company. Each battalion was led by a bearer of the standard of blazing red and gold. One company had gas masks fixed on their breasts and another was equipped with flame-throwers and gas protectors. Unmounted cavalry awung past with sabres drawn. A battalion of political police had black leather coats and light green helmets and revolvers at their waists. Armoured cars and tanks accompanied the troops. For twp hours, Trotsky stood, surrounded by staff officers. His hand was raised at the salute. As each battalion passed he shouted out, “Leng live the Red Army! Long live the workers' Republic!” receiving answering cheers from the soldiers.

The march was followed by a parade of thousands of students in white sweaters and jed badges and grey helmets, carrying rifles. AMERICAN CELEBRATION NEW YORK, May 1. (Received May 2, 7.15 pan.) Sporadic small strikes among various inuustnes in ten Eastern American cities occurred on May Day, involving less than 50.000 workers. There was no violence, though in several cities the police were compelled to disperse overflow audiences at Socialist meetings. PARADES IN JAPAN TOKIO, May 1. (Received May 2, 7.15 p.m.) Various parades of workers, displaying red bands, occurred in Tokio and in neighbouring cities. Large forces of police kept order, and a few arrests were made. The police strictly enforced the regulations against the display of the red flag. A large gathering was addressed by radical speakers. NOT A GREAT SUCCESS LONDON, May 1. (Received May 2, 5.5 p.m.) The May Day demonstration at Hyde Park fell rather flat. The crowd was below the average. Communists attended in full force, but one speaker declared that May Day was likely to prove a failure owing to what he described as “the pigheaded apathy of trade unionists.” RIVAL SOCIALISTS CLASH IN GERMANY. BERLIN,* May 1. (Received May 2, 8.5 p.m.). May Day was quiet in Berlin and Munich. Disorders occurred in Regensburg and Lichtenfels, between National Socialists and social democrats. One was killed and several wounded in Regensburg.