Evening star., 1941-09-24
Reds Expected 10 Bar
German Crossingo Of
Don for 2Months
Allies Seen Presented
With Opportunity to
Save Caucasian Oil
By WILLIAM H. STONE,fAN,

Foreign Correspondent Of The Star and
Chicago Daily News.
LONDON, Sept. 24.-The latest
reports from Russia to reach nom
British sources in London indicate
that with good luck and continued
stubborn resistance by the Russian
army the Germans may not be able
to cross the River Don and strike at
the Caucasian oil fields for another
two months.
1t is believed by those responsible
for this estimate of the situation
that the Russians will continue to
fight hard during that period.
This presents the Allies with both
a problem and an opportunity: The
problem of organizing resistance to
German seizure of such gigantic
prize and plenty of time in which
to do it if every instant of that time
is utilized.
There remains the question OF
what they are going to do about 1t
and this question has certainly been
answered, at least partly, in the
minds of the higher authorities.
More Direct Aid Possible.
In the first instance, both the
British and American governments
have determined to pour equipment
into Russia in a great torrent and
private reports indicate that they
have already sent far more than
anybody had dared to expect. In
the second place, there Is the ad-
mitted possibility of more direct as
sistance and it is no secret that this
has engaged the attention of the
British cabinet and all the high
British service officials concerned.
Pressure for an all-out effort to
help the Russians stave off disaster
this winter and to do something
definite about the Baku Oil fields is
increasing here in London.
The London Times today again
calls attention to the grave" situa-
ton in Russia and serves notice on
the government that the British
people expect action from it.
Increasing realization of the
critical dangers to which the Rus
sian armies are exposed is causing
public opinion here to ask some un-
comfortable questions" 1t says
"Churchill'S speech on the night
Hitler launched his invasion rallied
the whole country and pledged it
to full cooperation with our new
and powerful ally. But have the
activities of the government in
rendering much needed help fully
come up to the spirit of this initial
pledge or to the strongly expressed
desires of the British people?
Extent of Aid Hidden.
Decision to send an Anglo-Amer-
lean supply mission to Moscow was
reached the middle of August. A
long silence ensued before the ap-
pointment of British delegate was
disclosed and five full weeks elapsed
between the original decision and
the arrival of the mission two days
ago.
The fact that airplanes were
being sent from Britain was divulged
by the Prime Minister only in reply
to a question in the House Of Com
mons on another topic. There is no
question of disclosing information
to the enemy. who certainly knows
in broad outline the degree of as
sistance reaching Russia from the
outside world. 1t is certain that this
assistance is more substantial than
it has been allowed to appear and
that it is daily increasing. But the
government could, with advantage,
have done more to reasSure public
opinion both in this country and
elsewhere that it has, during the
past three months. strained every
nerve to support and supply the
gallant defenders of our eastern
front"
Copyright, 1941, Chicago Daily News, Inc)