TIMING OF ACTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 June 1942, Page 3

TIMING OF ACTION

AGAINST AXIS IN WESTERN EUROPE Reported Divergence of Views IN CHURCHILL—ROOSEVELT TALKS BRITISH PRIME MINISTER SAID TO BE OPPOSING PREMATURE MOVE LONDON, June 21. With the secret talks between President Roosevelt and Mr Churchill in their third day, evidence is accumulating which indicates a divergence between the British and American viewpoints, not regarding fundamentals, but the timing’ of action. Mr Churchill, it is reported, opposes inviting disaster by the premature establishment of a second European front. He believes that ship sinkings must be reduced first in order to assure the transportation of men and material to the front, says the Washington correspondent of the “New York Times.

PRESSURE ON PRESIDENT

On the other hand, President Roosevelt is under pressure as the result of the growing feeling in Washington’s inner diplomatic, military and Congressional circles that the best possible use is not being made of existing United Nations* manpower and material, specially the millions of soldiers and vast material idle in Britain, while other theatres are suffering from shortages. The correspondent, adds that no evidence exists that President Roosevelt is any more anxious to risk the consequences of precipitate action than the British. However, recent official statements indicate that Washington emphatically wants to be in a position to take advantage of any favourable break in Europe in 1942 to launch an offensive at the earliest moment, if there is a reasonable chance of success. It is generally believed that a communique from the Churchill-Roosevelt conferences which is expected this week, will reflect the decisions to make the most effective use of British and American strength and also the attainment of a common denominator regarding differences of opinion. This would prevent possible development into friction of the present atmosphere of uneasiness.