THE SECOND FRONT

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 262, 4 August 1942, Page 5

THE SECOND FRONT

Soviet People’s Feeling; Radio’s Promise ANGLO-AMERICAN STRATEGY (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.! (Received August 3, 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, August 3. The creation of a British and American high command composed of the chiefs of staff of both countries, to sit probably in London directing the broad strategy of the wai, is being seriously considered by responsible officials in Washington and London, says the New Yoi Times” Washington correspondent today. It is now freely admitted that the combined chiefs of staff committee has not fully succeeded 11 combining the military efforts of both countries, and t here fo re Jt must be changed before a major offensive is attempted, he adds. “The Soviet Union, Britain and the United States reached an agre „ ment regarding the creation of a -second front in Europe TL said Moscow radio. “Germany will be confronted with 15,000,000 men, 85,000 tanks, 100,000 guns, and 50,000 planes. London diplomatic observers believe that Japan is likely to stab Russia in the back within a -few weeks, says the Daily Mail s politick writer. The Russian strength in the localities likely to be affected is known to be very considerable and the United Nations stra egy ia provided for such an attack. The-Moscow correspondent of “The Times says there is nodo that a tide of disappointment and suspicion is rising rapidly among the Russians as the second front does not appear, specially in army, where the Germans are playing on their nerves by popping miHions of small leaflets bearing only the words:“ -- - And the second front.

“When M. Molotov returned from the west in June it was popularly felt ■tha t the war had entered a new phase, and that, though the Germans would mount a great offensive, they were inhibited by the growing danger from ■the west, and consequently would be handicapped in the speed aud weight of their attack. There are no signs of such inhibitions,” eays the correspondent. “On the contrary, since the approximate time of the signing of the AngloRussiau Treaty, 10 German divisions, including two panzers, have been withdrawn from France and the Low Countries, where only nine remain a garrison less than Norway’s. Now the Russians are being told that planes are being transferred to the Russian front from Egypt. It is believed that the equivalent of 15 Hungarian, 12 Rumanian, and 10 Italian divisions are in action between Voronezh and the Caucasus.” Reply to Astor. The London “Daily Herald,” in a leader under the heading “Cliveden and Stalingrad,” attacks Lady Astor for her speech cabled yesterday. The "Herald” says: “We are indebted to you for one of the war’s most brilliant, unhelpful public, utterances. You are not entitled to complain if you are accused of calculated hostility to an ally. The Anglo-Russian Treaty makes nonsense of your statement that the Russians are fighting for themselves —or else your statement makes nonsense of the treaty.” MORE THAN BOMBING AID URGED Soviet Press And Radio LONDON, August 2. For the first time since the AngloSoviet treaty was signed, the Russian Press and radio today referred to the agitation in England and America for a second front. Russian newspapers and broadcasts contained two long dispatches from London and New York reporting speeches and demonstrations. The Moscow correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that the “Izvestia,” the central administration organ, and the “Pravda,” the Central Communist Party organ, continue to reiterate that Russia has borne the brunt of the war for 13 months. They say that thoughtful Russians undoubtedly believe England and America should be doing more than bombing Germany and sending aid"to Russia. The man in the street is convinced that the greatest aid England and America can give Russia is by creating a second front or at least attempting to do so.

A meeting of athletes in Moscow unanimously endorsed the sending of a message to England and America stating: "The Germans are still advancing, but have been forced to withdraw considerable forces from the west. Now is not the time to wait. Not only from the air must you scourge Germany; let your tanks, artillery, and planes charge the enemy in the wake of your bombers.'’ All the Russian radio stations broadcast the resolution. DEFENCE EXERCISE LONDON, August 2. A Stockholm message reports that the Germans staged extensive exercises on the western coast of Norway, particularly at Kristiansund and .-outb-west of Trondheim, with the object of “repelling the invader.” Civil navigation and. fishing were banned during the manoeuvres.