The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-02-29
RUSSIA DROPS
MASK; READY
FOR CONFLICT
Soviet Army of 100000 Is
Efficient, Prepared
for War.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS
serinps- Howard Foreign Editor

WASHINGTON, Feb. ga Rus
sian army Of 100000 men is on it's
toes, ready to go the moment Japan
crosses the deadline, according to
reports IN the hands Of military
attaches here.
Observers make it plain, however,
that they do not expect Russia to
attack. On the contrary, she still
is said to be extremely anxious to
avoid war. But if a conflict is
forced upon her experts declare,
she is prepared to give good ac-
count Of herself.
Russia's big bugaboo remains a
war on two fronts-an attack by
European powers in the west while
she is engaged in war in the far
cast, 5000 miles away.
Furthermore Moscow officials adj
nit. Russia will be intellectually
stronger in another four or five
years militarily, economically and
industrially
Prepares in Hurry
Nevertheless, n sudden and sig
nificant change has come over Mos
COW. Whereas, Soviet officials never
peeped when Japan took Tsitsihar,
in Manchuria, last fall, they now
sternly demand to know what Jap
anese troops are doing in the region
OF the Siberian border
The explanation given by mill
tary experts is that last fall Russia
was not ready, while today she is.
Moving quietly and with complete
secrecy behind an outward show Of
indifference to Japan, she has pre-
pared against surprises.
The red army, on paper, numbers
$50 900 electives. But to this must
be added another 10000 belonging
TO the "Tcheka battalions," or pro-
fessional soldiers garrisoning prin-
cipal cities and railways These lat
ter are storm troops of the first
order.
Behind these 100000 men are
some 100000 active reserves, plus
another group of approximately
100000 semi trained second and
third line men-a grand total cf
about 100000 electives when
fully modified.
Ranks Fifth in Air
In the air, Russia ranks fifth
among the poWers-after France,
Britain, Italy and the United States.
Japan ranks sixth, with 1872 planes
ready for instant battle, as against
Russia's 1920.
Such is the official rating In
reality, according to French reports,
Russia may rank second among the
air powers. The Soviet air league is
known to have raised considerable
money and built an unknown num-
Der Of planes for presentation to
the nation in the last two or three
years. For this, many German tech
nicians have been engaged.
Similarly, Russia is said to be well
prepared for chemical warfare. Not
only has the government spent in
oreasingly large sums of money for
poison gas equipment, but, as has
been the case with aviation, civ
ilian chemical defense society |
materially has aided the state.
The red army already is highly |
mechanical. Tractors draw its
heavy artillery and much of the
light. There are enormous numbers |
of tanks, whippets, armored auto
mobiles, motorcycles and trains;
anti-aircraft batteries, airplane de-
tectors, range finders, searchlights,
and so on, all of mobile nature.
Preparedness Preached
Behind the red fighting machine
As one of the most highly militarized
populations on the globe. While de-
nouncing militariasm, Soviet Off
Gals have insisted Russia's life de-
ponds on preparedness. Thus prac-
tically the entire country of $780,
100000 people is organized like an
army. Women and children, old and
young, factory workers and field
hands are grouped into squads,
companies, battalions, regiments,
and corps.
The army is Differed largely by
tuth WHO nave lloCll II OHl tllt 0OllI-
muniSt ranks. This is regarded as
an advantage. Whereas Russian Of
ficers Of the old school had a weak
ness for good times behind the lines,
leaving their underlings to do the
fighting, the present corps doubt
less would go over the top with
their men
The reds, however, still have sew
eral weak spots in their armor. The
single track railways across Siberia
is one. Another is the inability of
Russian industry to keep an army