MARCH OF EVENTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 August 1943, Page 4

MARCH OF EVENTS

IN FAVOUR OF ALLIES MADE MEETING OF LEADERS NECESSARY. BRITISH & AMERICAN COMMENT (Bv Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, Noon.) LONDON, August 11. General comment in the London Press emphasises that the rapid march of events since the invasion of Sicily has made it necessary that Mr Churchill and President Roosevelt should review their plans framed earlier and draft new plans to take advantage of the enormous possibilities now opening up before the Allies. “The Times” diplomatic correspondent says the Allies have gained so much this summer that even the widest and most far-sighted plans are in danger of being outdated by events. “The Allied leaders,” he says, “meet with confidence, but with no illusions, shutting their ears to many stories of mysterious cracks in the German front, and turning their eyes to the formidable military might of the enemy which is still unbroken.” The “Daily Mail’s” political writer says the upheaval in Italy, the success of the Russian drives and the deterioration of Germany’s situation have created a crisis so favourable to the Allies that the leaders probably have decided to meet personally and discuss the swift march of events. The "Daily Express” says the fall of Mussolini was a new and unexpected turn in events since Casablanca. “We have still to use that to full advantage,” it adds, “and there has been a further turn in events with far greater possibilities—the first failure of the German summer offensive in Russia and the first series of Red Army summer victories.”

The German overseas radio stated:— “Churchill and Roosevelt undoubtedly hoped to separate Italy from the rest of the fighting nations, but after considering the military situation Badoglio has determined to continue the war. Churchill and Roosevelt will therefore be compelled to consider military action against the Italian peninsula, although they know its walls will not fall like those of Jericho.” United States newspapers suggest that the Churchill-Roosevelt conference subjects will almost certainly include the opening of a second front on the European mainland, in response to demands from Russia. All American commentators agree that the meeting has been made necessary by the recent Allied successes, which have outpaced the plans made at Casablanca. The “New York Times” says the conference between the two Allied leaders will take place at one of the great turning points in the war.

In Washington, Mr Sumner Welles, Assistant Secretary of State, indicated that the State Department was not yet ready to announce the recognition of the French Committee of National Liberation. Mr Welles said there was nothing new on that matter. Recognition of the French Committee is likely to be discussed by Mr Churchill and President Roosevelt, says the Canadian Press.