Detroit evening times., 1945-03-04
BIG ARMY POISED

BIG ARMY POISED
Prior 10 the Nazi invasion,
Russias crack Siberian army was
estimated 10 have more than
300, 900 men plus 1000 planes.
No good estimate of the present
strength of these forces is avail
able, however, but a high per-
centage OF the Red army is be-
lieved to be strung along the
Siberian rail line for hundreds
OF miles. where il parallels the
Manchurian border.
In the far north Russia has
strategically located air bases at
Kamchatka and Petropavlovsk,
both of which are strongly forti-
fed and within bomber range OF
the Japanese main islands A
chain OF airdromes links the KaIn-
chatka peninsula with the Ameri.
csn-owned Aleutians.
COULD HIT TOKYO
Both geographically and strate-
gically air bases of Vladivostok
and the maritime provinces are ex-
cefientfy located, not only for raids
on Manchuria, but more particu-
larly for direct and telling blows
on Tokyo and other important
japanese industrial cities.
Vladivostok-760 miles from
Tokyo-lies in the curving shield
of the japanese main islands. This
is Siberia's main naval and air
base, and RuSsia's only outlet to
the Pacific.
Petropavlovsk-Russia's only
ice-free port in the Pacific--is an
excellent auxiliary naval and air
base.
WOULD RULE STRAIT
Russian strategy probably as
signs to the forces at PetropaV-
lovsk the duty of attacking and
seizing Sumshiru and Paramu-
shiru. in the event of war. thereby
gaining control of the Kurile
Strait just south of Kamchatka.
That would open a direct route
from the United States TO Niko-
laivesk cat the mouth of the Amur
River) and Komsomolsk, which is
connected by direct rail with
Vladivstok, KharbarovSk and
other key points in the Siberian
battle zone.
The Soviet's Far Eastern feet.
according to James Fighting
Ships" consists of a number of
destroyerS, 20 submarines, more
than so high speed motor torpedo
boats and Sundry patrol vessels of
various types.
SEE q. S. AIR AID
With all the aid that Russia
thus can give in Siberia-once she
is at war-the Allied position in
this theater would be greatly
strengthened while Japan's cor
respondingly would be weakened.
and her offensive power would
begin TO wane.
American planes could hop from
then circle down to VladivoStok,
using that as a base from which
to operate in coordination with
American land based Superior
tresses and carrier based planes
in attacks on enemy targets.
Meanwhile, Allied submarines.
also basing on Vladivostok, would
menace Japan's vital communica-
tions in the sea of Japan-her
only access to the Asiatic main
land-thus reducing her ability TO
supply and reinforce her troops
in Manchuria.
CONVENIENT TRUCE
The neutrality and nonaggres-
sion pact signed by Moscow and
Tokyo in 1941 is little more than
a mutually convenient truce be-
tween two historic enemies. Even
though Russia should denounce il
April "a, il would still have an
other year to run-provided both
signatories are agreeable.
However, in view OF Japan's
well established record of striking
without warning-as in the at
tack on Port Arthur in 1905. the
current war with China and the
treacherous assault on Pearl Har-
bor-she might not wait even as
long as April "a TO attack Siberia.
Her initial move may be a sur
prise thrust from ManchlIria with