SECOND FRONT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 September 1942, Page 4

SECOND FRONT

UNLIKELY TO BE OPENED TILL SPRING ACCORDING TO AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT. ALLEGATIONS OF ALLIED DISAGREEMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 17. Mr Quentin Reynolds, who has just returned from witnessing the Dieppe raid, predicted that a United Nations second front in Europe would not be opened until the spring. Mr Reynolds said that about 9,000 commandos participated at Dieppe, which proved tour things to the satisfaction of the London High Command. Firstly, a major armed force could be landed on the European continent; secondly, as many as 200 ships bearing men and munitions could remain in an important French Channel port for at least nine hours; thirdly, a valuable lift could be given to the morale of the French people, who await deliverance from their oppressors; fourthly, the Russians could be convincingly shown that we are ready now to sacrifice some of our own men in battle. The ‘New York Times” London correspondent says British, American and Russian disagreement about a second front increasingly troubles the Allies, I who are painfully aware of seeds of disillusionment and friction that could have far-reaching effects on the prosecution of the war and on the following peace. It is clear beyond doubt, the correspondent says, that Mr Churchill and M. Stalin were as jar ■ apart about a second front when they bade farewell as when they first met. Many do not know that the American representatives at Moscow fully supported Mr Churchill's rejection of immediate intervention in Europe. Certain circles assert that President Roosevelt’s envoys showed a more aggressive attitude than Mr Churchill, but the Americans who realised that their forces would constitute only a fraction of what was required to open a second front, left London for Moscow . in harmonious if unenthusiastic agreement with Mr Churchill/’ Mr Churchill not only rejected M. Stalins demands, but offered alternative suggestions, none of which aroused Russian enthusiasm. These plans cannot be disclosed, but some may come into operation before the end of the year.