The Times THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1943. Churchill’s Statement

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 208, 2 September 1943, Page 4

The Times THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1943. Churchill’s Statement

Prime Minister Churchill’s broadcast statement from Quebec, following the inter-Allied conference there, was very largely an address to Russia, particularly his reference to the cross-Channel invasion of the Continent. For this was a reply to reiterated demands for a so-called “Second Front,” all made during these past 18 months by Moscow and by Leftist elements throughout the world. In reply to all and sundry who have advocated a second front, Mr. Churchill declared his desire for such an offensive, but very properly added that it would not be launched until the BritishAmerican command was satisfied “that there is a good prospect of continuing success and that our soldiers’ lives will not bo squandered to political consideration of any kind”—assuredly they would have been squandered had the Allied leaders allowed'tliemselves to be forced into precipitate action by the “Second Front” campaign in 1942. The other highly significant feature of this statement is the assessment offered of the aid Russia is receiving through the Allied aerial attacks upon Occupied Europe and Germany herself. The enemy’s war-making capacity is being considerably diminished by the weight of bombs dropped. Then, further, “by far the greater part of Ihc German Air Force has been drawn from the Russian front and is being worn down with ever-growing intensity night and day.” This doubtless explains in pail: why Russia has been so successful in her operations this third summer of the war in contrast to the vast retreats she had to make before the Nazi war machine in the two previous summers. Apparently the Russian armies must have an almost total air preponderance, and the Germans lacking air support are constantly forced to give ground. A reminder of a complication of the Allied relations with Russia was furnished by the reference to Japan, with whom Russia has a five-years’ treaty of non-aggression. In view of this, and 1 lie fact that the Quebec conference was so largely concerned with the Allied war upon Japan, it was Understandable that Russia could not be fully represented at Quebec. It does appear that Russia, or rather her leader Josef Stalin, has been the aloof member of the “Big Three” Allied leaders; and that Mr. Churchill has been the one who has endeavoured constantly to bring all three together. . The vast improvement wrought these past nine months in the Allied positioii is made clear by the reference to the Atlantic and Mediterranean in Mr. Churchill’s statement. AVe have achieved the strategic initiative in both theatres. That could not be claimed ni 1942. A solid note of realism was struck in the conclusion of the 1. lime Minister s address. He looked forward to a peace to which the world may turn with hope and confidence also with good sense and dearly-bought experience.