HOPES OF ALLIANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 June 1941, Page 6

HOPES OF ALLIANCE

WITH BRITAIN & UNITED STATES REPORTED CONSIDERATION. JAPAN’S WATCHFUL WAITING. LONDON, June 22. The Moscow Radio announced that an alliance between Russia, Britain and the United States is now under consideration. M. Maisky (Soviet Ambassador to Britain) had a long conference with Mr Anthony Eden (Foreign Secretary). Well-informed circles believe that Tokio had an advance notification of impending Russian-German hostilities, whereupon it refrained from precipitating a crisis with the Netherlands Indies. It is expected that Japan will silently and watchfully await the events of the next few weeks of warfare.

An official spokesman in Stockholm said Sweden did not intend to participate in the war against Russia and would do her utmost to maintain neutrality. However, weekend leave was cancelled for the armed forces and Cabinet was summoned.

"A wave of mass meetings has sweptRussia, expressing contempt for a cowardly attack and willingness to fight to the last,” says the Moscow radio. “Ukrainians have given an assurance to the Government that the first air raids have only stiffened the people’s determination." A mass meeting in Shanghai cabled M. Kalinin pledging the support of Soviet nationals abroad. A majority of White Russians in Shanghai fully support the Soviet. They believe the Soviet will be able to hold the Germans if there is real cooperation between the Government and people, which, however, is doubted.

AMERICAN OPINION. Germany’s move against Russia is viewed in Washington as tremendously favouring the British cause, for the reasons, firstly, that it creates a second war front for Germany against a major foe; secondly, Hitler's obvious desperation in the matter of food supplies proves the effectiveness of the British blockade; thirdly, it isolates Japan; fourthly, it further delays an attempt to invade Britain. While none of the best military observers expect anything but early successes for the Germans, it is certain that Stalin must have had confidence of being able to withstand an attack, or he would not have rejected the German demands. Hitler’s decision to fight Russia, it is thought, is capped by a belief that America will soon enter- the war; hence his haste to acquire self-suffic-iency. A former United States Ambassador to Russia, Mr Joseph Davies, says Russia will not be an easy conquest. The world will be surprised by the character of Russian military resistance.

OPPOSING ARMIES. Authorities in Ankara estimate that 125 divisions of Germans are opposing Russia, with an average of 15,000 men in each division. In addition, 25 Rumanian divisions have been mobilised along the Russian frontier. The Russian forces on the Western frontiers are estimated at 150 divisions.