The Timaru Hearld 'WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 1941 Support For Russia

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21998, 25 June 1941, Page 4

The Timaru Hearld 'WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 1941 Support For Russia

THE attitude of the British Government towards the Bnssian-Herman war, which was so simply and effectively explained by Mr Churchill in his broadcast speech, is being automatically endorsed by the Dominions. The principle behind British policy is clear. Hitler is the archenemy; he must be overthrown if democracy la to survive. Mr Cpnrchili's words were: "Any man or State who fights against Naslsm will have our aid. Any man or State Who matches with Hitler is our tod.” Soviet Russia in the meantime has to bear the brunt of the German attack, and for the good reason that they are standing against Hitler the Russians ate to be given what aid Britain can provide. The Soviet Ambassador in tondoh has accepted the offer of help ou the business basis of payment for goods and services. Even more valuable than material assistance, however, will be the technical advice that British experts with experience ofthd Herman style of warfare can give the Soviet, and this, according to ft statement by Mr Eden, is being made available without delay.

Mr Churchill rightly emphasised that British assistance to the Soviet did not involve the slightest modification of inherent distaste for the Communist principles which are the foundation of the Soviet social and economic structure. The Soviet Is to be given all possible support solely because Russia Is a new victim of Nasi aggression. Then, as Mr Churchill suggested, ideological differences, great as they are, are overshadowed by the human factors in the situation. The Russians are human beings first. They hate now been selected by Sir Robert ,Vanslttart*s “Butcher Bird'* for his latest meal, and it is because humanity is more important than an ultimately rectifiable political ideology that the resources of the British Empire are at Russia** call in the great struggle. There are, of course, obvious practical reasons also why Britain could not stand aloof from this new phase of the war. It can be seen easily enough that Hitler has attacked Russia as a preliminary to his desperate bid for victory against Britain. He knew that Russia was aware of his intention to obtain possession of the Ukraine when it suited him to do so. The Russians know that Hitler equid not move against Britain until he had found a moans of circumventing the blockade which is keeping Germany so short of essential supplies. Masi Germany would have had no desire to enlarge its war commitments, yet the only alternative to slow but sure defeat was to tap new sources of supply. That was why the Soviet was attacked at this moment However, had Hitler decided to attack Britain first, he was reasonably certain that the Soviet would make a protective advance against him in the east To that extent the Soviet was on the side of Britain in the war against Germany. It was a fortuitous alliance beyond the control of statesmen.

Mr Churchill regards the invasion of Russia as the fourth turning point of the war. It is certainly one of the decisive Interludes ta the struggle, and it is not yet clear how far it will affect the course of events. -If the Red Army is able to keep the Germans heavily engaged for a time Germany’s western wing, is left exposed to the Royal Air Force. In the past fortnight British airmen have been, able to take full advantage of Hitler’s preoccupations in the east and the smashing blows already delivered against the German industrial areas in the west may be of the ntmost importance as far as the outcome of the war is concerned. If Soviet resistance is strong Hitler will be caught in a trap of hie own making. He will have what he has so far striven resolutely to avoid: a war on two fronts. *