UTMOST AID TO RUSSIA

Southland Times, Issue 24576, 27 October 1941, Page 5

UTMOST AID TO RUSSIA

FORMIDABLE TASK FOR. BRITAIN HUGE PRODUCTION EFFORT (8.0.W.) RUGBY, October 25. The British Foreign Secretary, Mr Anthony Eden, speaking at Manchester today, recapitulated the momentous events which had taken place since Mr Churchill became Prime Minister—from Dunkirk in May of last year to the onslaught on Russia in June. Mr Eden said it was true to form that Hitler, without any pretext, broke his word and 'attacked a nation, with which within a year he had signed a pact of friendship. “Each one of us feel the deepest admiration for the Russians’ heroic resistance,” he said. “If you are watching every phase of this struggle so is the Government. If you are deeply moved so are we. We know only too well that the Russians are bearing a burden which was ours a year ago. You may be sure that the Government has done and will do everything in its power to help the Russians, whose cause is our cause. “Broadly speaking, our purpose is to seek, with American help, to make up to Russia by our supplies what she has lost through German occupation of part of her industrial territory. That is an immensely formidable task, not only in production, but in shipping. The production effort required will be enormous. You, I feel sure, will make it.” DEVELOPMENTS IN PERSIA

Mr Eden gave an encouraging report on the recent developments in Persia, where the new Government was co-operating loyally with Britain and Russia and had embarked on an enlightened programme of internal reforms designed to benefit all classes and put an end to the corruption and tyranny of the last years of the former Shah’s regime. The new Shah had shown his sympathy for democratic principles. Britain had also suggested to the Persian Government that it should sign a treaty alliance with the Soviet and British Governments. This proposal had already been accepted in principle. Mr Eden said he hoped soon to be able to announce the conclusion of an alliance which would do much to ensure stability in this vital area.

“These welcome developments in Persia enabled us to open up a supply route to Russia which had an inestimable advantage in being available in all seasons of the year,” continued Mr Eden. “Arrangements to increase the capacity of rail and road traffic are already being made. From the Caucasus through Persia, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Egypt to the Western Desert there is now an unbroken allied front. Reinforcements and supplies are reaching that front not only from Britain, but from India and other parts of the Empire and the United States. Our position in the Middle East is immensely strengthened since a year ago. The Afghan Government has agreed to the joint British-Soviet request that all non-ofneial Germans and Italians should be expelled. “At a time when the minds of each one of us is with the Russian | armies on their battlefronts it is natural that some of you should be templed to ask the question: Will the Foreign Secretary fell us when and where we are going to strike, or at least that wc shall strike? That is the one point on which it is not in my power to enlighten you. But this I can tell you. From the first hour of the German attack on Russia the War Cabinet and the Government as a whole have concentrated every effort upon the task of giving the utmost help to Russia. “There has been neither hesitation nor reserve. We shall take no action to gain transient and popular favour. We will dare any actio? where we believe the hazards to be justified. The Government, indeed, has but one purpose, which is yours and Stalin’s too—how best to defeat Hitler.”