Wairarapa Times-Age TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1942. HELPING RUSSIA AND OURSELVES.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 August 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1942. HELPING RUSSIA AND OURSELVES.

TN discussion in various countries, including New Zealand, it has been emphasised that in their agreement with Russia in June with regard to “the urgent tasks of creating a second front in Europe in 1942,” Britain and the United States did not commit themselves to any specific details as to the nature of the campaign to be undertaken in carrying out the agreement. This is true, but it is also of small importance. It fades into insignificance in face of the fact that the English-speaking nations are impelled as much by self-interest as by regard for Russia to make as soon as possible the most damaging attacks on Germany of which they are capable.

These days are highly critical for Russia, but they are critical also for the British Commonwealth, and the United States. The outcome of the life and death struggle centred for the moment in Southern Russia will determine, amongst other things, whether the English-speaking democracies are to continue the war in company with the powerful ally who is now engaging some two-thirds of the German hind forces, and a great part of the strength of the Luftwaffe, or are to see that ally reduced for the time being to the condition of a secondrate military power. Action that 'would help and relieve Russia at the same time would improve the outlook in the North African theatre and probably would simplify very greatly the problems to be faced there.

Taking account of these considerations, some reported observations by Lady Astor, at a United Nations demonstration, can only be classed as narrowly unenlightened.

I am grateful to the Russians (Lady Astor said), but they are not fighting for us. They are fighting for themselves. After the Battle for Britain it Avas America who came to our aid. The Russians were then allied with Germany. It is only now that they are facing the Germans that they come into the fight. To hear people talk, you would think the Russians came to us in our dire need—nothing of the kind, it was America, and don’t you forget it.

This is an odd example of contorted thinking and of a failure to move with the times and with the progress of events. To look at only one facet of the Avar situation, American material support probably has nowhere been more valuable or more supremely important to date than in helping the Soviet Union to do as much as it has done towards smashing the German war machine. The root of the matter is that the other United Nations have an absolutely common interest with Russia in defeating Germany and her satellites decisively and doing it as speedily as possible.

Because that’ common interest is defined so clearly, it may be taken for granted that the English-speaking nations will help themselves and will help Russia by making the most powerful attack on Germany of which they are capable before the present momentous year has run its course. At the same time it is right and natural that, until the actual moment for action arrives, responsible British and American leaders should be strictly reticent on the subject of military plans.

It may be noted, however, that Russians who, according to Reuter’s Moscow correspondent, have been expecting a second front ever since the British-Russian Treaty was announced, have had no monopoly of what is essential in that belief. Evidence on this point may be gleaned, not only from the terms of the agreements between Britain, the United States and Russia, but from authoritative utterances by spokesmen for the Allied nations. For instance, speaking at a Russian war relief rally in Madison Square Garden, New York, on June 22, Mr Harry L. Hopkins, President Roosevelt’s special adviser, said in part:—

A few hours ago I left the President and Prime Minister Winston Churchill as they were talking. The loss of Tobruk is. a bitter disappointment. They were discussing the stern, strategic steps to be taken; where to hit Germany and the Japanese the hardest. Both men are fighters. Both are unafraid, both determined. I asked the President if he had any message for the people here tonight. He said, “Yes, tell them that we mean to give Russia aid on the field of battle and that our armed forces will attack at the right time and place, and that the Russian front will not fail.”

Nothing that has occurred since this message was delivered gives any ground for doubting that the English-speaking nations are working with Russia to a co-ordinated plan and intend to give full effect to President Roosevelt’s pledge.