Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 244, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 December 1935 — Page 12

PAGE 12

Soviet Russia’s Giant Red Army Is Preparing for Offensive War, Says Frazier Hunt

On# nf th mightiest of war marhines it that nf Soviet Russia. Frailer Hunt, In another of hi* unrensoreri fable dipatrhes, shows how a very rerent chance In Soviet military strategy makes thu war machine of new concern to the whole world. BY FRAZIER HUNT (Copvriaht. 1935. NEA Service. Inc.) iby cable from London). Dec. 20—One million men in the Red Army, 3000 fighting planes, hundreds of swift modern tanks and rapidly growing industrial equipment.—this is the Soviet Union's answer to a threat of world war.

Pof the new Discovery Parker Quink— boxed mounting W8WBE&3BBBK!~ _______ GENUINE' CAMEO RING j§ ”I^'^ em “^*** || plate case. JH soe WEEKLY! rouble h<i H srKi? { SIOSO sSaTij’ S*FO7S SI s<te He * w V. m ■MBMI U& ° •.m /■■■■ Ron- ijjLl!). d* #J* JB*T CA AjV|dk soc Weekly y IfllliPP 7-)C U eekly 75c Weekly and i>o m*o # 5 # JP J>W Jr •NO INTEREST •NO CARRYING CHARGES graved free. $l5O W kl yr ■(, /sS-V' A V’ \ $V / >'V , \%. >vcNt. \ I tint HLL

On her European border Soviet Russia has 500,000 soldiers, 1500 planes <including 600 bombers), regiments of tanks smd fully mechanized, highly mobile brigades. It is a realistic reply to Germany's meddling in central Europe and gives the Soviets high cards ! in the desperate game being i played in eastern and middle 1 Europe. In the Far East there is a superb i independent war unit under Marshal Blucher with 200.000 finely trained soldiers and 1000 planes. These include fully 300 fast,

long-distance bombers capable of bombing and firing Japanese cities and industrial centers. Also, there are 500 observation planes and 200 pursuit planes. This is Soviet Russia’s answer to Japanese aggression. On southern and Asiatic borders are 300,000 men and some 500 planes. Add to this 20.000 special troops and border and railroad guards in the secret police. Then add fully 2,000,000 trained Red Army reserves, war factories, a giant steel industry, unlimited raw materials of every kind and supplies tucked away in the center

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

of vast Russia, 1000 miles or more from any possible enemy, and you get some picture of the mighty strength of the Soviet Union. a n a FROM the start of the revolution 18 years ago, fully half of her total energy has gone into building this powerful army and making herself self-supporting in equipment and w'ar necessities. At the time of the Soviet’s failure against Poland in 1920, her original dream of spreading Communism by force of arms was washed up and her entire war strategy was then based solely on

defense of her territory. In the past 60 days all this has been changed. The French-Soviet alliancestill unratified by the French Chamber of Deputies pledges that either country must go to the aid of the other in case of attack by a third European power. This means that for the first time in 18 years Russia has an ally. But the price she pays is the necessity of preparing herself for a possible great offensive campaign. Two months ago a French military mission arrived in Moscow

and, leaving behind permanent secret French military experts, has begun a vast reorganization of the Red Army and a change of strategy. No longer will Soviet Russia be able to stand behind the swamps and hills of her western border and await attack. The new' French-inspired plans call for a possible drive toward Germany if Hitler starts war. a tt a 'T'HE first move in such a war ■*" probably would be moving air bases into the territory of

Russia's other potential ally, Czechoslovakia, through Rumania. Part of this new grand strategy is the opening of a civil air line from Moscow to Paris across Rumania and Czechoslovakia without touching Germany With other important changes due, French influence has been felt in the new' organization .*f the Russian general staff Significant is the establishment for ! the first time of definite officer i ranks in the Red Army from cori poral to colonel, i Hatred of the old imperial gen--1 era Is still is so intense that there

OEC. '2O, 1935

are no generals, but instead there are titles of commander of the army, first and second rank. Also, the French designation of marshal is given to five high Red Army leaders. Today the Red Army Is vastly superior in numbers to the present German Army. Against Russia's 1 jOO.OOO rcgiuars <ith 2,000,000 trained reserves, Germany has an immediate army of about 400,000 that will reach 600.000 next spring with a few trained reserves. It will take Germany fully five years to Guild up a complete war machine.