NEED REALISED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20901, 29 September 1942, Page 4

NEED REALISED

SECOND FRONT MR. WILLKIE ATTACKED "INNOCENTS ABROAD" (Bv Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (2 p.m.) NEW YORK. Sept. 28. Criticising Mr. Wendell Willkie's statement that "perhaps some military leaders need public prodding to open a second front,” the New York WorldTelegram in an editorial said: “We doubt if any public figure since the outbreak of war has uttered a statement so ill-advised or advocated a course so weighted with danger and possible disaster. Not only every military commander, but also Mr. •Churchill and President Roosevelt have made it crystal clear their eagerness and determination to open a second front at the earliest hour compatible with the possibility of military success. To move sooner would be to condemn thousands of British and American soldiers to purposeless slaughter. Such an illtimed move might even mean the loss of the war.

“We do not question Mr. Willkie’s good intentions but the depth and clarity of his thinking. His several expressions on military subjects on the tour bordered on the sophomoric. Applause and flash-bulbs apparently caused Mr. Willlde to talk out of his turn. This is no time for innocents abroad.” “The Allied leaders do not need prodding to open a second front,” said Major C. R. Attlee. “It is not necessary to prod them because you can lake it for certain that we are all working on plans for an offensive. The. second front has become something of a catch phrase.

“The Battle of the Atlantic, the large air raids on Germany, the lighting in the Middle East and elsewhere all have to be considered. Ail the lighting being done by the Allies is part of the second front and the fighting on all fronts affects it. Most people are agreed that nothing could be said in advance about, a second front.” A Moscow radio commentator, replying to those who think it would be too dangerous to open a second front in Europe now, stated: “Some say that the lesson of the Dieppe raid was that landing operations were very costly. Some would not mind cancelling the war because it is so dangerous and difficult. The seamen who brought munitions to the Red Army were-not frightened away because Fascist fire was awaiting them. They did not wait until next spring.

“It is impossible to beat Germany by bombing alone. A real second front is needed in Europe and the important thing is to open it now. The defeat of the Russians would mean the defeat of Britain and America.”