M. STALIN’S LETTER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 6 October 1942, Page 2

M. STALIN’S LETTER

U.S. PRESS COMMENT New Ydrk, Oct. 4. The “New York Times,” commenting on M. Stalin’s letter, points out that he speaks rarely, and therefore it must be assumed that in breaking the habit, he spoke with due deliberation and was impelled either because the military crisis in Russia is desperate or because he believed the British and American people are more urgent for a second front than the military and political leaders. “The Soviet leader is, in effect, demanding payment on a promissory note,” the newspaper says. “He does not say in so many words that the Allies are obligated to open a second front on ‘time.’ but he states pretty plainly that they have undertaken obligations which are not fulfilled.

“The message was primarily addressed to Americans and is evidently intended to convey this impression and to appeal to the public over the heads of the Governments.”

Referring to the obligations the “Times” says that material and other supplies, transported at great risk of loss to the Allies, have been delivered in larger quantities than were promised. “The whole plan and aim of American strategy is to take the offensive at the earliest possible moment, and M. Stalin cannot whip up the Allies more than they are whipped up by their own desire and determination,” it says. SPEECH RECALLED London, Oct. 4. The London newspapers give prominence to M. Stalin’s second front statement. The “Daily Telegraph” says that no official statement has been available in London on M. Stalin’s view. Semi-official sources considered that M. Stalin’s remarks have underlined and in many respects confirmed the substance of Mr ChurchiT’s recent speech in the House of Commons. [On Bth September, reporting in the Commons on his visit to Moscow, Mr Churchill said: “The Russians do not think that either we or the Americans have done enough so far to take the weight off them It is difficult to make the Russians comprehend all the problems of the sea and oceans; it is difficult to explain fully all the characteristics of the war effort of various countries; but I am sure we made their leaders feel confidence in our loyal and sincere resolve to come to their aid as quickly as possible without regard to the sacrifice involved so long as the contribution is toward victory. . . /’]