OPINION IN RUSSIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 September 1942, Page 3

OPINION IN RUSSIA

ON SECOND FRONT QUESTION

WASHINGTON SPECULATION.

MR AVERELL HARRIMAN’S * ASSURANCE.

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, September 9. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says that officials there do not comment on reports from Moscow of a disagreement between Mr Churchill and M. Stalin over the conduct of the war, but that informed circles consider it is significant that the Russian censor has passed Press dispatches describing bitterness arising from a popular belief in Moscow that aid from the United Nations cannot be expected soon. The correspondent adds: “This is possibly another form of Russian pressure for a second front this year, but there is no indication here of whether Allied military action in Europe within the next few weeks would dissipate the Russian apprehensions. It is understood that Mr Churchill in Moscow hoped to ease M. Stalin’s mind, particularly over the operations of the supply lines for Russia, but it is not revealed whether Mr Churchill satisfied him.” “The Moscow talks have brought Mr Churchill and M. Stalin closer together in the burning hatred of Hitlei’ and Hitlerism which transcends their former political differences,” said Mr Averell Harriman (United States Lease-Lend Co-ordinator, who participated in the Moscow discussions), speaking at a meeting of the Russian War Relief. , “The Russians not only want a second front in Europe as early as possible, but they also hope the United States will keep the Japanese occupied in the Pacific, thus preventing an attack on Siberia.” Mr Harriman said he found the Russian people determined to fight on alone if the second front did not come. The Russians had made plans to continue the war even if they lost the present phase. They had moved vast industries behind the Urals and opened there new mines, oil wells, and farm lands.