TALK OF PEACE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 220, 28 June 1943, Page 3

TALK OF PEACE

RUSSIA AND GERMANY. MOVES REPORTEDLY MADE. EFFORTS BY JAPANESE. DEFEAT OF AXIS FEARED. (N.Z. Press Association-Copyright.) (Rec. 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, Juno 27. For the last six months the Japanese Ambassador to Russia, Sato, has c.een attempting to induce Russia and Germany to talk peace, says the Stockholm correspondent of the British United Press. Japanese fears that an Axis defeat is impending, after which Japan’s position would be hopeless, is believed to be the reason for Sato’s activities. Japan is also believed to fear that Russia will eventually allow the Allies to use Siberian bases for raids against the Japanese mainland.

M. Stalin's announcement of adherence to the Casablanca policy answered Sato’s early efforts. The new approach is reported to be based on the argument; that Russia and Germany will not benefit from a fight to a finish in the Eastern Front for the benefit of the "Western Democracies.

Meanwhile Soviet publicists continue to play up to the theme that Germany can be defeated only b\3a heavy blow from the east and west. The trade union organ, “Trud, ! says: “The overwhelming majority of British and American newspapers agree that it is necessary to fight the idea that the war can be won by air force alone. The British and American press almost unanimously says it is necessary to take advantage of the favourable ”situation and not miss the opportunity of inflicting a decisive blow on the Fascists.” The leading Moscorv radio political commentator Viktorov, declared: “The w r orld is tensely expectant. Conditions have become extraordinarily favourable for our allies as regards military operations on the Continent. The Luftwaffe is helpless and cannot; interfere With Allied raiders The so-called Atlantic wall does not exist. U-boat warfare has taken a. decisive turn in favour of the Allies. All strategic approaches to, Italy arc in the hands of the Allies, w'ho have undenied mastery of the Medterrancan.”