SECOND FRONT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 May 1942, Page 3

SECOND FRONT

RUSSIA EXERTING NEW PRESSURE ACCORDING TO AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT. UNITED STATES SEEKING INFORMATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, May 27. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Tinies” says: “Russia is exerting new pressure in Washington as well as London for the quick opening of a second front in Europe. However, the United States Government is countering with requests for an opportunity to obtain reliable firsthand information regarding the conditions on the Russian fighting fronts. “In the latter connection it is pointed out that though Russia is being given the fullest possible information regarding the United States’ intentions, and the .progress made toward attaining them, the British and American observers are not permitted to see enough of the activities of the Soviet fronts to obtain an accurate idea of the situation there. Officials here, therefore, want closer army staff co-opera-tion with Russia as well as adequate advices from the American observers. “There is unanimity in high quarters in both Washington and London that the second front must be established, and there are also strong grounds for believing that sufficient shipping is being made available for this faster than has been widely believed possible. However, Washington, like London, is anxious to avoid a premature move which might cause the United Nations to lose the present advantages over the Axis. •>

“Diplomatic circles here stated the opinion today that ' the British and American Governments were being pushed toward a second front faster than is wise as a result of their own legitimate propaganda, which holds the defence of Russia to be vital to the United Nations’ war effort. In the United States, as in Britain, left-wing groups are taking the lead in publicly urging the establishment of the second front; however, the pressure here comes chiefly from intellectual circles, whereas in Britain organised Labour is strongly supporting the demand.”