KEEN INTEREST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 June 1942, Page 4

KEEN INTEREST

IN CHURCHILL’S VISIT TO AAIERICA HEIGHTENED BY SECRECY OBSERVED, OUTLOOK ON WAR FRONTS. (Special P.A. Correspondent.) (Received This Day. 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, June 21. More interest is being taken in Mr Churchill’s present visit to President Roosevelt to those made previously, due to a great extent to the secrecy surrounding conversations in contrast with the publicity accompanying the others. There is a spate of speculations concerning a second front, which informed circles suggest cannot be opened up immediately,, requiring time for the organisation and building up of forces, including shipping. It is now accepted that Allied shipping losses, between January and Junetotal more than the shipping built in that period, while more enemy submarines have been built than have been sunk. American losses undoubtedly are serious. They are mostly occurring along the coastline, owing to a relative lack 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 task of supplying Allied forces on many fronts —Russia, the Middle East, India, China and Australia —in addition to starting a second front in Europe. There is no need to comment on the tremendous enthusiasm greeting the Anglo-Soviet Treaty throughput Britain. It has. certainly provided a channel for the mass of the people’s admiration which is flowing full tide. It is equally interesting to realise that the agreement is hailed throughout the Soviet Union with an enthusiasm reported far to surpass any similar manifestations. The main point impressing Soviet opinion is the agreement on the urgent task of opening up a second front in Europe in 1942. The first anniversary of Russia’s entry into the war is now being celebrated with a warmth and admiration on which Sir Stafford Cripps’s speech set the seal. Speculation as to whether the Japanese intend attacking Russia is increased by the developments in. the Aleutian Islands. In addition these is more news of Japanese movements in Mongolia and there are also reports that the Japanese have increased their Manchurian Army from eighteen to thirty divisions. It would cause no surprise if the Japanese invaded Russia, in which event the occupation of 1 the Aleutians would make possible the cutting off of American supplies from Russia. Meanwhile the Japanese are keeping up pressure in Chekiang. There is no doubt that China’s position is serious. She finds herself, a country undeveloped industrially, cut off from the rest of the world except by aeroplane. China’s fight emphasises the importance of India in the Allied strategy, as India is the jumping-ofc -place for aid to China. India has been greatly strengthened by a recent convoy and it is now considered that she can be held against the Japanese. In spite of Libya, the shipping position and the still impending ’ German attack on Russia, London’s war outlook is based on confidence. It is already midsummer, and Hitler’s time for winning the war this summer is being steadily eaten up. He is facing a Russia which is better equipped than on this day last year, while the prospect of a second front is now not mere public enthusiasm. The Allied forces are facing difficult months, but so is Hitler, who has apparently unleashed his forces on the home front, judging from the Germans News Agency’s announcement of mass arrests in Vienna and Lower Austria and the setting up of special commissions to draw up lists of “anti-social and destructive elements.” It would still be unwise, however, to hope for internal developments against Hitler inside Germany.