ALL THOUGHTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 June 1942, Page 3

ALL THOUGHTS

WITH MEN OF EIGHTH ARMY FAITH IN OUR SOLDIERS. DEMANDS FOR SUPPORTING ACTION. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) RUGBY, June 29. “The Times” says: “At this moment the thoughts of all are with the men of the Eighth Army, standing against a forceful and well-found enemy to defend vital communications of the Empire and the alliance of the United Nations. All know —on this point no assurance is needed—that in all ranks what men can do will be done. Of the fighting quality of the troops there never has been a doubt. On this point General Smuts, in inspiring addresses in South Africa, has expressed, not for the first time, the inmost feelings of all the British peoples.” The “Daily Telegraph,” after observing that the African campaign and sustained bombing had reinforced the Russian front, says this does not constitute a second front within the meaning of the Washington talks. Operations that are to produce decisive relief of the pressure on Russia cannot be conducted at a distance, as convoys crawl, of 14,000 miles. These must be sited at a point or points where we, instead of the enemy, enjoy the advantage of interior lines—that is to say somewhere within a comparatively short striking distance of our own island base.” The “Daily Telegraph” concludes: “When Mr Churchill faces his critics in the House of Commons, he will have a great deal to report, besides giving reasons for the Libyan reverse, which indeed has to be set in perspective against the considered opinion of both statesmen (President Roosevelt and Mr Churchill) that the overall picture is more favourable to victory than in August or December last.”