SECOND FRONT DEMAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 203, 28 July 1942, Page 5

SECOND FRONT DEMAND

APPEAL TO j\JR CHURCHILL LONDON, July 27.

Speaking at the demonstration in Traialgar Square in favour of the immediate opening of a second front, Mr D. N. Pritt, K.C., the Labour member of Parliament, said: "We cannot afford to waste more time. Ships can be found, and if necessary wo will'put up with shorter rations. Faint hearts must be vanquished." The following declaration was put to the assembly and approved amid scenes of enthusiasm: "Assembled at a most critical moment in the war, when the fate of Britain is at stake, we solemnly pledge to work with might and main for the immediate opening of a second front in Europe and to accept with a stern spirit all sacrifices which this mighty task demands; to redouble our efforts to produce weapons of victory, and not to rest till the final triumph ot our rightous case. Expressing the British people's ardent will to victory, and inspired by the heroic deeds of our Soviet ally, we address ourselves to the Prime Minister with a demand that the second front agreement be carried out with audacity and dispatch. Hitler's desperation is Britain's opportunity to strike now in the West." The Minister of Labour (Mr Bevin), in a speech in Wales, said: "Those who are fighting for a second front are feeding Hitler and Goebbels. Our friends of the Lett who are shouting this slogan are creating a condition _ we want to avoid by causing division within the country. I believe General Auchinleck will retrieve tho position and hold Egypt. Russia might, be driven back and lose territory, but I am confident Hitler will not break the Russian armies. No one is a better friend of Russia than I, and I beg those who claim to be her special friends not to try to force a reply on one issue, which might be a great contributing issue but is not the only one, and not the only way to win the war." ' The Daily Mail, in a leading article, says: "The olamourers .for a second front should bear in mind that, whatever plans the Government may have for_ helping our hard-pressed ally, it is hardly likely to. broadcast them to tho world at this stage." Asked about the second front, thci New Zealand Minister (Mr Nash), who has just arrived in London, said he had his own thoughts thereon, but left statements to those qualified to make them.