SECOND FRONT

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1943, Page 3

SECOND FRONT

LORD BEAVERBROOK’S ADVOCACY. LONDON, Feb. 23. The need for a second front in Europe was urged by Lord Beaverbrook, speaking in the House of Lords. He said: “Public opinion here thinks the war is won, although the fighting is not finished. That optimism springs from the success of the second Russian offensive defeat ot the German army and winter operations, which exceeded all our expectations, but we have no right to count on these advantages too much, because there are serious dangers in the way of which we must beware.” Alluding to Communism, Lord Beaverbrook said: “I am not a Communist. 1 am a capitalist. I do not favour sharing wealth. 1 only want to share opportunities. But none the less it must be admitted that Russian Communism directed two successful winter offensives unparalleled in history. How did Stalin rally the armies? Be persuading his tired people that a second front was the prospect of victory and that it was not far off. What is to be the answer to Stalin’s two messages, the iast of which was received thio morning? Whatever lie the plans ol the Germans, we should strike and strike now, before the Germans reeroup the divisions. If another attack is made against Russia, June may be the date, so we must, strike quickly if we are to be ready. “Another great reason for speed was the Japanese. Japans’ inactivity contrasted strangely w>th the wild triumphant outbursts of energy we ;aw during the first months they were in the war. They had only 80 divisions but they could easily have 3000. Obviously the Japanese were busily engaged on big-scale industrial production.” , “We must strike the Germans first and then turn to the Japanese with speed and energy,” continued Lord Beaverbrook. “Time is the first consideration. It seems to me we must now invade north-western Europa. We must invade in the Mediterranean, too, but certainly from a British base as well as from an African base. It is true that Africa has many attractions as a base for an attack against Europe, but Britain has far more advantages. Time should not be wasted. We cannot afford a year or even months—at most a lew months. These are precious weeks. The war will not. be won by the turning tide of fortune nor by the inexorable massing of superior machines We should not comfort ourselves like the fool in the parable by the knowledge that we have goods laid up; that we are accumulating immense treasures in weapons. It is a choice of the hour for striking all that decides the nation’s fate. The hour of decision presses on us. If we loiter and delay it may never come again. 11 may b c gone forever.” The German-occupied zone along the coast, states the Belgian News Agency, lias now been extended in depth,' and the limits been shifted from Bruges to Aeltre in west Flanders. All Belgians who served in the Belgian Army have been ordered to move inland and report regularly.