WAR PROBLEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 July 1942, Page 4

WAR PROBLEMS

OCCASIONING ANXIETY IN BRITAIN RUSSIA’S HEAVY BURDENS. Military demands & food SUPPLY. (Special P.A. Correspondent.) (Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, July 19. Russia, Egypt, shipping and production are the subjects at present chiefly occupying the attention of the 'British public. The news from Rus&ia hangs like a heavy thundercloud over the nation, and is emphasised by Mr Oliver Lyttelton’s statement that at no time since the Battle of Britain have we stood in graver peril. Russia’s problem of digesting the German mechanised hordes before the arrival of winter has forced on the Soviet Supreme Command the question of how much more territory can be sacrificed to buy time and maintain the fighting forces comparatively intact. Can Marshal Timoshenko and the Red Air Force remain undefeated? While the territories the Germans gain are very important, yet Hitler’s main objective in Russia is not merely oil and wheat, but the breaking up and smashing of Russia’s military power, after which the other fruits of victory would become automatic. Authoritative quarters in London are of opinion that Russia will hold out, even if by the narrowest margin. This is tempered ’by a realisation that German resources show no sign of failing. Russia’s problems are increasing, for in addition to holding out against Germany she also has problems of food supply and of keeping up production. Recent reports from Russia suggest that there has been a deterioration of the food position in the industrial towns. GENERAL RITCHIE’S REPORT. The arrival in London of LieutenantGeneral Ritchie has been learned of with interest. There has been a query in the public mind regarding him since Mr Churchill announced that the War Cabinet had asked General Auchinleck to take over the Libyan campaign from its inception, for which reason a summary of General Ritchie’s report is awaited with interest. SHIPPING POSITION. There is general approval of the shipping debate in the House of Commons being held in secret, even if there is some impatience at a succession of statements, firstly that the debate would be public, then that it would be made after the debate, then that an announcement would be made after the debate and then finally that there would be no statement. It is regretted that some statement has not been made.

There is some restlessness regarding shipbuilding policy, which is voiced by Mr E. Shinwell, M.P., who said: “I accuse the Admiralty of rejecting a plan to build ships by mass production which has now been adopted by the American Government and is in operation in the United States.” Mr Shinwell is of opinion that shipbuilding policy is being dictated by people who are concerned- with what is to happen after the war instead of adapting themselves to the present critical situation. He adds: “If we discover further- setbacks and a second front is delayed, don’t blame the shipyard workers, or the management of the shipyards, but blame the bottlenecks at the Admiralty.”