OF GREAT MOMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 August 1942, Page 3

OF GREAT MOMENT

INTER-ALLIED TALKS IN MOSCOW SERIOUS PROBLEMS FACED. FOOD & FUEL SHORTAGES. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, August 11. The inter-Al lied talks which are now proceeding in Moscow are regarded as of the first importance; they undoubtedly include discussions on what aid can be given to Russia by the Allies. One result of a German success in the Caucasus will be that the approaching winter will now cut both ways, for the Soviet Union's economic losses have been severe. Russia’s main supply problem is now fuel; she has lost more than half of her coal production, with the result that European. Russia faces a cold, coalless winter, for there is little hope of the coal from the Urals and Kuzr.etsk districts being available. The Russians have lost one-third of their wheat and 60 per cent, of their iron. Mr Negley Farson, writing in the “Daily Mail,” declares that the food position in Russia is- already alarming. . It. is a grim hour for the Allied nations, with the Germans striking ever deeper in. Russia’s vitals, with Rommel still thieatening Egypt, with the Japanese ready to strike at Siberia, with the civil disobedience in IndiaIndia, which can be regarded as the focal point and desired meeting-point of both the Germans and Japanese. It can be borne in mind, however, that ithe.-e is evidence of great strain on the German home front, and that in the battles now being fought the stakes a; issue are almost as large for the ..Germans as for the- Russians. The German armament workers are being hard driven; while the Germans have cut down civilian standards in food and fuel rationing and also hours of rest. Meanwhile, the British and American strength is growing in Britain.