WHAT ARE WE WASTING FOR ?

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 79, 17 July 1942, Page 4

WHAT ARE WE WASTING FOR ?

SEVENTEEN hundred years ago a cry of agony went up from the British Isles, entreating the return of the Roman garrison legions to protect the subordinated inhabitants from the fierce ravages of the Danish sea raiders. Rome the then mistress of the world had withdrawn her legions to protect her own weakened constitution and to withstand the savage onslaughts of the 'barbarian hordes.' The 'cries of the Britons' were so consistent and so full of supplication that they have been recorded in history as an incident of a people suffering which was without parallel. But in spite of their great suffering their prayers fell on deaf and' heeding ears. Rome was too busy arranging for her own protection, -to listen to the entreaties of one of her farthest colonies. To-day in 1942, a similar cry goes up from beleag* uered Russia. From the censored broadcasts, we understand that the people of the Soviet are hinting pretty thickly for the opening of a second front in Europe to relieve the lentless Nazi pressure; from the steady retreat of Timoshenko's armies Ave can note the desperate position growing steadily worse while from our own sources of common sense Ave can form some idea of just what the Russian people are thinking of the continued inactivity of Britain—their ally. Daily we hope for the great news of Britain's vast coun-' ter attack, and daily we have been disappointed. Now with the Russian capital menaced and other vital towns in the gravest peril the country of the Soviets may be said to be at the cross-roads of her history. Unless Great Britain seizes the opportunity now afforded by the tremendous diversion of the German army in Russia she must miss the psychological moment of the war. Our only consolation under the circumstances is to reflect that our leaders are not fools and that they must be fully conversant with the position, though why the prolonged hesitation to attack is completely beyond those who may be classed as 'the uninitiated.'