THE RUSSIAN ARMY

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21040, 16 February 1940, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN ARMY

POOR STANDARD OF LIFE REGARDED AS LUXURY CURIOUS PICTURE PAINTED (United Tress Assn.—itlec. Tel. Copyrlytit) LONDON, Feb. 15 Polish refugees reaching Rumania from Soviet Poland and the Finns driving back the Russians from Finnish territory paint a curious picture of the Russian Army as they see it. What appears to the Finns and Poles as a somewhat poor standard of life appeals to the Russians as extreme luxury. The military correspondent of the Times, discussing the effect of their experiences on the Russian soldiers who invaded Eastern Poland, which is not as wealthy as Western Poland occupied by Germany, says: “Having been taught that beyond the Russian frontiers all was misery and tha* worker and pea«-int suffered bitter slavery, they found in the cottages of the poor a standard of comfort which astonished them.” Never Seen Before However, it was the shopping streets of the towns which most bewildered the Russians. They stared in silence at goods such as they had never seen before. They appeared incredibly beautiful. Those who had money to spend could not believe their good fortune. One man who purchased a wristwatch consulted it again and again, to the envy of his fellows. A field officer who bought a pair of riding boots would pull apart the skirts of his greatcoat every now and then and admire them. The contrast between conditions in Russia and the standard of life in tnis far-from-rich quarter of Europe is proving so strong that it -s leading to much desertion. Frontier Closed Garrisons are changed frequently to prevent the soldiers from becoming too well acquainted with the inhabitants. Although the new territory has been formally incorporated in the Soviet Union the former frontier is kept strictly closed. The difference between conditions on either side is too striking for it to be safe to allow a free passage across it. It is thought that this control will be relaxed when Russian Poland has been sealed down to the level of Soviet Russia. Indicating the Russian Army's belief ‘hat there are no trinkets or ornaments outside Russia reports from Stockholm state that among the rich booty captured at Suomttssalmi the Finns found large stores of cheap gew-gaws. such as pocket mirrors, combs and imitation peart necklaces, which, as the Russian prisoners explained, the Russians intended to distribute among the women in the conquered villages.