Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1942. ANXIETY FOR RUSSIA.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 July 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1942. ANXIETY FOR RUSSIA.

—<► T)EMANDS in Britain, the United States and other Allied countries that maximum help should be given as soon as possible to Russia in the grim ordeal she is now enduring are in themselves entirely commendable, but it is clear also tnat agitation on these lines is capable of being developed to a point at which it would play into the hands of the enemy. This .is sufficiently indicated in the eagerness with which the German propaganda machine is seeking to exploit- the existing situation, notably by showering leaflets on. the Russian lines—leaflets which no doubt assure the Soviet troops that they have been deserted by their Allies. Clearly as the existing situation emphasises the need for co-ordinated action by the Allies on the greatest practicable scale, it calls also for patience and lor mutual confidence. Whatever plans Britain and the United States may have shaped for additional co-operation with Russia—-by diversionary action in Western Europe or otherwise —of necessity will be.shrouded to the last moment possible in the strictest seciec\. It was reported in a cablegram received yesterday that w hen Mr Aneurin Bevan declared in the House of Commons that the country and the newspapers were agitated over the Government’s military intentions and asked for a secret session to discuss the matter, Sir Stafford Cripps, than whom, jt may be supposed, no one is more wholeheartedly eager to gixe Russia all the help that is possible, replied that it would be impossible to announce the Government’s intentions either to the public or at a secret session. The need for absolute secrecy regarding the conduct and possible extension of military operations no doubt is recognised by all level-headed men and women, not least in .Russia. That public anxiety must be deepened by this secrecy is in itself regrettable, but the fact counts for nothing against the disastrous results that would be invited by a premature exposure of plans to the enemy. It may be hoped that secrecy has its vital bearing, not only on the question of possible Allied assistance, but on the great defensive campaign Russia is conducting with so much heroism and determination. The existing situation on the South Russian front admittedly is in leading aspects in a high degree critical and menacing. The Soviet Union has no such wide margin of territory to work upon as it had in its campaign of last year. The invaders are far advanced in a drive in which they hope to lay hands on the Caucasus and other rich territorial assets and to cut effective supply and other communications between the Russian southern armies and those of the centre and north. Whether the enemy is capable of achieving these results has yet, however, to appear. One great difference between the present campaign and that of last year is that the enemy is now concentrating his available strength on a comparatively narrow front. Last year the Germans conducted a general' offensive along tlie whole front from the Arctic to the Black Sea, and made great, costly and unsuccessful efforts to capture Leningrad and Moscow, as well as to drive through the Ukraine to the Caucasus. This year they are concentrating on the southern front and it was said a few days ago that from Voronezh northward they were on the defensive. In face of such losses —human, material and territorial—as the Russians have suffered in recent, weeks, there can be no question of indulging in easy anticipations of some smashing counter-stroke by the Soviet armies, but the issue of the conflict certainly is not yet decided. The invaders, as well as their intended victims, have suffered enormous losses and they stand opposed to armies of which it has been said that they have taught the world as much about tactics as about morale. It is a fact to be remembered in these anxious days that in the campaign of last year the Russians io all appearance were in desperate straits before they struck their counter-blow. That blow, when it was delivered, nevertheless was of shattering effect.