Anti-War Day

All over Russia one day last week, Communist manifestants paraded the streets in bellicose array, displaying gas masks, small arms, sundry war materiel. Overhead, Red planes swung across the sky, on land there were military maneuvers, at sea Red warships wallowed in sham battle. Paradoxically, the parading crowds carried banners not praising war but decrying it; the Red planes dove, not to loose steel and nitroglycerine eggs, but to dump fluttering leaves of peace propaganda. The occasion: International Anti-War Day, held on the 16th anniversary of mobilization for the World War (Aug. 1). At Moscow the climax of the day came when the Volunteer Society for Aerial & Chemical Defense presented the army with 51 Soviet-made fighting planes, purchased through public subscription.

As is customary in the case of world-wide Soviet demonstrations the announcement of Anti-War Day caused more anticipatory alarm than subsequent Communist activity warranted. Outside of Russia police systems were prudently tightened, known agitators placed under surveillance. When the day had passed, the following had been recorded:

Germany. In Berlin police permitted 40,000 Socialists to mobilize in the Lustgarten, 20,000 Communists in the west end of the city. The day passed quietly. No Socialists were arrested, a few Communists were.

France. A general strike which had been anticipated did not materialize. Paris was peaceful with the police and the Republican guard patrolling the streets, while cavalry, held ready for emergency, was bivouacked in the parks. At Toulon, tracts were distributed demanding a naval mutiny.

Indo-China was the only country where serious disturbance occurred. At Ganglong, Communists paraded in defiance of police orders. Casualties: three killed, ten wounded, 20 arrested.

South Australia. At Adelaide, a mob of Communists and unemployed workers, followed by a straggling crowd of women and children, marched to the state government building, carrying placards with the legends "Hands off Russian India!" and "Not a Man, Not a Gun for India!" An interview with Premier Hill was postponed until after the constabulary had dispersed the crowd.

Hungary and Rumania. At Budapest 70 Communist ring leaders were apprehended as a precautionary measure on the eve of Anti-War Day. Rumania, combed by police, netted 75 arrests.

U. S. In Manhattan a dreary meeting of Communists in Union Square, their stamping ground, ended when a few rocks were flung by the mob. Police rushed, clubbed, scattered the meeting. A bystanding newsgatherer, off duty, was slapped down, suffered minor concussions. Casualties: six injured, two arrested.

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