Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1942. ALLIED PLEDGES AND PLANS.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 August 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1942. ALLIED PLEDGES AND PLANS.

POR reasons that have'every appearance of being good and sufficient, Mr Churchill’s visit to Moscow, in company with President Roosevelt’s trusted representative, Mr Averell Harriman, and a company of military and other advisers, will be welcomed throughout the Allied world. Naturally very little indeed is being disclosed about the scope and range oij the discussions that took place in Moscow, but from the fact that Mr Churchill’s visit extended over four days, and that in that period he had very lengthy talks with M. Stalin, it is clear that a great deal of ground was covered. It may be taken for granted that the whole military situation was examined in detail, due attention certainly being paid to the critical state of affairs existing at the moment in South Russia. With all the facts before them, the British and Russian representatives, with the support of the United States guaranteed, reached the results summed up in the communique issued in London and MOSCOW: — A number of decisions were reached covering the field of the war against Hitlerite Germany and her associates in Europe. This just war of liberation both Governments are determined to carry on with all their power and energy until the complete destruction of Hitlerism or any other similar tyranny has been achieved. _ The story of much that is most interesting in these latest discussions in Moscow and their outcome of course is left untold. The plans that have been made and agreed upon no doubt will be disclosed only when they take shape in theatres of war in and beyond Europe. Great value and significance nevertheless attach to .the proclamation by the Allies at this time' of their inflexible and united resolution, and their reaffirmation of “the close friendship and understanding between the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, in complete accordance with the Allied relationship existing between them.” It is not for a moment to be supposed that the Soviet leaders would have.set- the name of their country to a joint statement in these terms had they felt that Russia, was being subjected to an unendurable strain of war and was not getting from her Allies the assistance and support she was entitled to expect from them. The general but emphatic account given in the official report of the atmosphere of cordiality and complete sincerity in which the discussions were conducted and Mr Churchill’s declaration in his farewell message that he is highly satisfied with his mission to Moscow both speak for themselves. On the disclosed facts—not least noteworthy of which is that Mr Churchill’s party was broadly representative of the military leadership of the British Commonwealth of Nations—it may reasonably be assumed that strategic decisions of major importance were reached.

Events not improbably may show, before long, that Mr Churchill’s visit to Moscow marks a great forward step towards the co-ordination, of Allied war plans and policy. The establishment of a unified Allied command still is and may remain an aspiration, but there is much to be gained from the closest practicable co-ordination of Allied action against the common enemy. In what manner the decisions reached in the Moscow discussions are to be carried into effect remains to be seen, but meantime there is impressive and encouraging evidence of the loyal faith and mutual understanding which lire needed above all to ensure the ultimate triumph of justice and freedom over debased gangsterdom.