Evening star., 1946-09-03
Report Says Soviet Chiefs Plan
Military MIGHT Second to None

'econd to None
/ Union claims more than so per cent
Of the known world supply Of many
minerals and other raw materials
vital to industrial growth and ma
tional defense.
Particularly. the report continues v
the U. S. S. r. claims over half OF
the known oil reserves and iron-ore
deposits of the world. In agricul-
tural resources important to national
defense, the Soviet Union Is rivaled
only by the United States.
Decentralized Industry.
The Soviet government has plan
ned decentralization of industry, it
was asserted, SO that industrial con-
centrations may never again be
trapped by an invading enemy. The
process Of decentralization was ac-
celerated by the war, and was said
to be continuing.
On this point the report said that
IN spite of enemy occupation OF
many of her most important prewar
industrial areas, the Soviet Union
succeeded in supplying equipment to
keep pace with the vast expansion of
her army during the war.
But the report added simply, but
with some emphasis: "The supply
OF equipment was greatly aided by
lease-lend from the United States" /"
The Red Army was said to have
almost every conceivable type of
armament and equipment needed in
modern warfare, including engineer
ing machinery and motor vehicles.
Two features of the Red army
distinguish it from others, it was
explained. The first of these is that
an officer generally must serve as
a soldier before receiving a COM
mission. The second is that promo
ton is by selection and not by SEMI
ority. These rules are consistent
with the Soviet principles that
every one must start as an ordinary
worker and that each shall be re-
warded according to his work. Stress
is laid on both military education
and cultural activities" throughout
the army it was asserted.
Power of Party Stressed.
Throughout discussion of the
structure of both government and
national defense systems, the re-
port stresses the power of the Com
munist party.
Speaking for instance of "Com-
munist control" in national defense,
the report declares: THE Com
munist party now controls the top
military hierarchy. Party and army
leaderships are so interviewer as to
be almost indistinguishable. At the
top these leaderships are merged in
Premier Joseph Stain, who COM
bines in his person the Offices of
general secretary of the Communist
party, chairman of the Council of
Peoples Commissars. and general
issimo Of the Soviet Union (com-
mander in chief)."
A decree of February, 1914, it was
pointed out, established a separate
defense commissariat and national
army for each constituent republic
OF the Soviet Union. The effect OF
this system would be to strengthen
the role Of the party as the one
interlocking and all powerful or
ganization, depriving the military of
any organizational framework paral-
lei and possibly rival to the party
Restraint on publicity given to army
generals works toward preventing
their rise to political power through
military fame alone.
Russians Navy Strength.
The Russian Navy, said to consist
of 204 major ships, was ranked
third among the great powers, with
the United States first, with 756
major ships, and Great Britain sec
|ond with 491. The Red Navy was
reported to be distributed In four
fleets, the Baltic, Black Sea, Pacific
and Northern, and in several fio-
tillas.
Precise terms were cited as having
been worked out for cooperation
between the Red Navy and Army.
The Russian Marines, formed under
Peter I, were listed as a small part
OF the arm forces Of the nation,
but were said Ito have won the
affection of the people" During
the recent war, the marines oper-
ated "on nearly all fronts and
fought in the most dangerous sec
tors"
The Red Army and Navy each has
Its "air arm"
The report devotes seven pages to
detailed description of the Soviet
government, outlining its latest de-
velopments, and pointing out both
the strength of political centraliza-
ton and the power of the Com
munist party.
"The most important ways by
which the Communist party directs
the machinery Of government" says
the report, "are by the overlapping
OF personnel at the top level, by
assuming legislative powers either
independently or jointly with the
Council Of Ministers, and by con-
troll of Soviet mass organizations
by party groups.
Fusion At Top Level.
"The fusion at the top level Is
striking" declares the report.
"Stalin," explains the study, us
secretary-general of the party. and
memher of the Oroh,Iro opd po1it
buro and chairman of the Council
Of Ministers, besides being supreme
commander in chief. Six vice chair
men OF the Council of Ministers are
also members of the Politburo
Zdhanov, the chairman Of the Su-
preme Soviet, is a member of the