Evening star., 1942-08-30

durance scarcely comprehensive from
our luxurious viewpoint.
Furthermore, Communist Russia. again
like Nazi Germany, fights literally for
existence. without any illusions on the
subject. Whichever wins, the vanquished
nation in the present titanic struggle
can look forward only to enduring hui
initiation and collective abasement. That
is why each of the two governments can
rely on the fullest measure of sacrifice
even from subjects who have no reason
to love their relationships. That is why
Winston Churchill can show optimism
on his return from Moscow, regardless
of the cumulative picture of defeat and
disaster which must there have been
spread before him.
U. s. Has Known Little Of Gains.
Great as it is, however, the psychologi-
cal and spiritual strength OF Communist
Russia would avail little without the
careful material preparations which the
| Soviet government has made for meet
| Ing its present ordeal. In economic or
| ganization, as we'll as In social viewpoint.
the Russia OF today is very different
| from that of a quarter century ago.
Russian secrecy and our own anti
| Communist prejudices have combined to
prevent any general realization in this
country of the tremendous industrial de-
velopment which, under Soviet planned
economy, has been accomplished in the
| Ural districts, In little-known Kazakh-
| stan and in Central Siberia. But it is on
| this development, pushed with feverish
energy IN recent years, that Russia's sur
vival chances now in large measure de.
pend.
| comprehensive and thoroughly SCI
entlf1c study of "Asiatic Russias War
Potential" is fortunately available for
American readers through the enterprise
OF the American Council of the Institute
OF Pacific Relations, which printed a
lengthy article on this subject in its
Far Eastern Survey" of November II,
1s4l. The author, Andrew Grajdanzev,
Is an economist of repute and his COM
phatlons are based on official statistics
otherwise obtainable only in fragmentary
or almost inaccessible form.
Writing when the German campaign
OF last summer was at its peak. Mr..
GraJdanzev's analysis Is even more time
ly today. For it anticipated the loss to
Russia OF that very territory which has
been occupied by the Nazis In recent
weeks. The study remains conservative.
since 1t also envisages the capture or at
least complefe disruption OF both tho
Lenlngrad and Moscow economic areas.
On the other hand 1t assumes that tho
trans Caucasian districts, now seriously
1hreatened. will remain under Russian
control.
On the basis OF these assumptions, now
close 70 being actual fact, Mr.. Graidanzey
presents exhaustive data and draws
careful conclusions which, when checked
py other source material, justifies more
/ optimism than is afforded by headlines
on the current tide OF battle.
| Consumer Goods Are Weak Link.
This study concludes, for instance,
that in food supplies, both cereal and
meats, the area of Russia still remote
from German attack is self sufficient for
its normal population of some 10 mil
lions, plus an estimated 20 million sol-
diers and refugees. The same applies to
all vital mineral requirements, including
oil. provided the Baku area can be de-
Tended. If that is lost Russian oil pro-
duction will be down to about 10 per
cent Of last year, with obviously dis
astrous consequences.
The recent concentration Of heavy in
dustry, including chemicals, beyond the
Urals Is, as set forth by Mr.. Grajdanzev,
phenomenal. So also is electric power
development, nearly one third Of all that
generated in the Soviet Union coming
from districts which seem immune to
conquest, either from west or east In
iron and steel production the territory
from the Urals east is said to account
for about 40 per cent Of the national
total.
1t is in respect to consumer goods, and
to lesser extent distribution facilities,
that this expert analysis Is most pessi-
mistic. Here everything seems to depend
on whether the Moscow area, as center
OF the clothing, shoe and household in
dustrles, can be defended. Those who
are thinking about aid to Russia in
terms only of airplanes and tanks" says
Mr.. Grajdanzev. Should realize that
consumption goods-in minimum guam
tlt1es-are as essential for final success"
With one important reservation the
conclusion Is that Russia cannot be
compelled to surrender because of terri
tory lost or likely to be conquered. Even
II Leningrad, Moscow and all the area
west of the Volga should be occupied.
the Russian people, Injured to suffering,
could still struggle on and maintain
resistance more formidable than mere
guerrilla warfare. But to do so they must
be supplied with certain special equip
ment and technical aid from outside,
especially from the United States"
From this report one gathers that the
value Of a second front to Russia may
have been overemphasized. As measure
OF practical assistance to the Soviet
transport of machines to the Urals seems
at this stage more vital than transport
of men to England.
Again it all comes back to the basic
issue OF shipping and the question Of
whether the supply routes to Murmansk
and Basra can be kept open to convey
the equipment without which a func-
tioning Russian economy can scarcely be
securely maintained
Belgian Mayor Offers
Himself as Hostage
| LONDON German Arru q, p.,.