PLAIN SPEAKING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 228, 28 September 1942, Page 5

PLAIN SPEAKING

CALL FOR SECOND FRONT “NOT IN THIS WAR TO SAVE RUSSIA” NEW YORK PAPER DEPRECATES HYPOCRISY (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Recd. 6.30 p.m.) New York, Sept. 25. The New York Times in an editorial says: “The Russians’ insistent second front demands call for plain speaking. We are not in this war to save Russia. She is not in this war to save us. She. did not try to save Norway, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, or France in 1940. She did not lift a finger when the invasion of Britain seemed imminent.”

“However, let it be admitted that she is no more selfish than Britain and France were when they abandoned Czechoslovakia to the wolves, or when we connived at that betrayal. Self-preservation is Russia’s first law. It is also ours. Self-preservation dictates that Russia shall not risk permitting us to use the Siberian bases against Japan though we might save thousands of American lives and billions of dollars thereby. Self-preser-vation dictates that Britain and America shall not vainly sacrifice half a million men because we admire profoundly the gallant defenders of Stalingrad. We have no choice but. to allow the specialists to decide when we strike in Europe. A blow struck

this autumn at great risk and great losses may contribute more to final victory than a heavier blow in the spring, but this is not a question to be settled in the pages of newspapers and magazines or on the floors of Congress. It is folly to attempt to settle it that way. Let us say openly: We will not harry our President and his advisers into unwise adventure. Let us confess that we believe as firmlv in the American system as Stalin does in the Russian, and let us face the fact that the systems are not alike. “Let us then make every honest effort to establish a foundation on which they can exist peacefully and amicably in the same world. We can build on this understanding. We cannot build on hypocrisy.” VIGOROUS APPEAL “NEXT SUMMER M.AY BE TOO LATE” (Recd. 11.55 p.m.) Moscow, Sept. 27. Appealing vigorously for a second front at the earliest possible moment, military leaders approve Mr. Wendell Willkie’s statement when he emphasised that next summer may be too late. “I am expressing the belief at the bottom of every Russian’s heart when I suggest that too much prudence has entered the military councils of the Anglo-Americans in considering the feasibility of a second front this year,” said Mr. Willkie. “Perhaps some British and American military leaders will need some public prodding. The Russians are resolved to destroy Hitlerism. No Russian talks of quitting. They are facing certain winter shortages of food, fuel, clothing and some medical supplies, yet they have chosen victory or death. I found difficulty in explaining to front-fine Russian soldiers, for instance, why Britain and America are not ready now tolaunch a direct attack in Europe. They are not impressed with the risks which our experts pointed out to me. “The Russian people are turning impatiently to Britain and America for aid and for hope. We must not fail them.” M. Stalin gave a dinner in the Kremlin in Mr. Willkie’s honour. Mr. Willkie left Moscow to-day for China.

DOUBTS RAISED SECOND FRONT IN 1943? New Yok, Sept. 25. The Washington correspondent of the Wall Street Journal says that two developments raise the question whether a second front will be possible even in 1943. Frst of all, the United States war production lags behind schedule. The Army and the Navy months ago told the War Production Board what was needed for a second front. The board reported that production was behind schedule in June, July and August. Therefore some officials doubt whether material for a second front will be ready by the spring of 1943. Secondly, stalemate on the eastern front would redouble the task of opening a western front. AMERICAN COMMUNISTS’ DEMAND New York, Sept. 25. The immediate opening of a second front was demanded by leaders of the Communist Party at a large demonstration in Union Square. The secretary of the party asserted that the great majority of American soldiers, both privates and officers, wanted a second front immediately. FRENCH SHIP TORPEDOED (Recd. 6.30 p.m.) London, Sept. 25. A Berlin report says the French steamer Liberia, bound for Sfax, was torpedoed off the Tunisian coast. The ship was fully illuminated. The captain and four members of the crew are missing.