FOUR WAR FRONTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 36, 11 August 1942, Page 5

FOUR WAR FRONTS

DEMAND FOR A FIFTH SPEECH BY MR. WASH (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) LONDON, August 9. The New Zealand Minister to Washington, Mr. Nash, when visiting his birthplace at Kidderminster, of which he is a freeman, has made the first and probably the only public speech of his present visit to England. He declared that the current demand for a second fcpnt in Europe was really a demand for a fifth war front. In New Guinea the Japanese were only 200 miles from Australia, and if they directed against Australia forces as strong as those which conquered Malaya and Burma the position would be most difficult. "I think we ought to attack. We cannot afford to let the Japanese consolidate their gains," he. said. The next front, Mr. Nash continued, comprised China, Burma, and India. "We ought to do everything to enable China to continue the fight against the Japanese. China says she wants help also in a second front in Burma, to enable her to continue fighting. We want to be strong in India if we are going to prevent the Japanese from dominating India and China." The next front was the Middle East, where Rommel was attempting to reach the Suez Canal. "We ought to do everything to drive through from El Alamein," Mr. Nash said, and added: "Those are three of the fronts. It is just physically impossible on the evidence of the supplies—magnificent as they are—for all fronts to be so equipped that all can immediately start an offensive. Yet you cannot allow them to lie idle. "RUSSIA HAS SAVED US." "The demand for a second front in Europe is really a demand for a fifth front. Russia is being gradually overwhelmed, but is putting up a magnificent fight. Remember, she has saved us." (Loud cheers.) Mr. Nash said he did not know what would have happened if the Germans, instead of attacking the Russians, had turned against the Mediterranean and Suez. "It might have extended the war for ten years if they had done that." Referring to the second front demand, he said: "Nobody will tell you where or when it will begin. It ought to take place, if we are going to save