STOP PRESS

Evening Star, Issue 24016, 15 October 1941, Page 12

STOP PRESS

ANOTHER RUSSIAN REVERSE. LONDON, October 15. —■ The latest Russian communique admits the capture by the Germans of Mariupol, on the shore of the Sea of Azov. Mariupol is 100 miles from the key town of Rostov and the River Don. The situation remains serious, with the Germans threatening a vital industrial area in this sector. .V radio message to the soldiers of Russia says: “Hitler may win battles, but he cannot. take Russia. Ho wanted to take London, but ho did not take it. The English Channel stopped him. Our army must be the English Channel.” A Loudon Press Association message states: The ‘Daily Telegraph’s ’ Stockholm correspondent says the Gorman thrust northward from Orel is still held at Mtseusk, where Gaidorian’s tanks have been

trying for five days to smash the Russian lines, in the rear of which Timoshenko has assembled reserves and is holding fortified positions amid forests already deep in snow. Another Gorman spearhead against Moscow, which is directed through Roslovl, Kaluga, and Sernikhov, has now, according to Berlin, reached a point 12 miles westward from Kaluga. The Soviet forces bore are desperately resisting before lines prepared along the eastern bank of ■ the Ugra River. Northwards from the main Moscow highway the German advance in the direction of Rjev is slightly progressing, but has not reached the town itself. ELECTION POSTPONEMENT. The Prime Alinistor said that in view of the anxiety due to the war situation an election contest was to him unthinkable and he felt certain at least SO per cent, of the people did not desire an election at the moment. In these circumstances, and also in view of the fact that the Opposition indicated it would not oppose the measure it seemed very clear that to force an election would retard, rather than help, the war effort. “In my opinion,” concluded Air Fraser, “ a general election at the present time would he a disservice, rather than a service to democracy, and even a violation of our national unity and solidarity in support of the common cause of mankind.” It is reported that there is an understanding with the Opposition that the Government will not, during the suspension period, introduce contentions measures of a domestic nature and it is also clear that there is no likelihood of the formation of a National Government.—Wellington correspondent.