SPECULATION IN BRITAIN

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXI, Issue 15076, 23 June 1942, Page 3

SPECULATION IN BRITAIN

! CONCERNING SECOND FRONT j i QUESTION OF SHIPPING. JAP. THREAT TO SIBERIA. (Special Correspondent.) United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Co i>v right. LONDON June 21. More interest is being taken in Mr Churchill’s present visit to President Roosevelt than previously, due to tlia great extent of the secrecy surrounding the conversations, in contrast to the publicity which accompanied the others. Ther© is a state of speculation, particularly concerning a second front, which informed circles suggest cannot open up immediately, sine© it require.* time for the organisation and buildjmg up of forces, including slapping. It is now accepted that Allied shipping losses between January and June total more than the shipping built, while mor e enemy submarines have been built than the number sunk American losses are undoubtedly serious, most of them occurring along the coastline due to the relartive iack of smaller escorting craft. It is believed, on the other hand, that the British shipping position is not unhealthy, but This is chiefly because the Germans have concentrated on the soft spot along the American coast. . These losses obviously complicate the supplying of th© Allied forces on many fronts —Russia, the Middle East, Ar.id.ia, China, and Australia - in addition to the starting of a second front.

Speculation whether the Japanese intend to attack Russia has beer, increased by th© Aleutians developments. In addition, there is more news of Japaaose movements in Mongolia, and there are also reports that the Japanese have increased their Manchurian army from 18 to 30 divisions. It would cause no surprise if the invaded Russia, in which event occupation of the Aleutians would make possible the cutt,iiig-off of American supplies from Russia. In spite of Libya, th e shipping |>osition, and th© still impending German attack against Russia, London’s war outlook is based on oor.fidence. It is already midsummer, and Hitler’s time for winning the war this summer is steadily being eaten up. He is facing a Russia which is better equipped than it was, this day last war, while the prospect of a second front is now not mere public enthusiasm. The Allied forces are facing difficult months, but so is Hitler.

Hitler, indeed, has apparently started a purge on liis home front, judging from the German news agency’s announcement of mass arrests in VierYia and Lower Austri i and the setting-up of special commissions to draw up lists of “antisocial destructive elements.” It would still be unwise however, to hope for internal developments against Hitler inside Germany.