Evening star., 1942-06-20
'Liqhtninq Decisions


issues of the war" That Is the way
official sources in London describe
the current conference between
President Roosevelt and Prime Min
lister Winston Churchill, now being
held at what is termed "a secret
rendezvous" The White House
spokesman describes the subject Of
these crucial talks as "the war, the
conduct of the war, and the winning
of the war" Press correspondents
have been assured that speculation
on the opening of second front in
Europe is perfectly justified" Lastly,
Mr.. Churchill was accompanied by
high military men. All this makes
it logically certain that strategy
rather than politics or postwar
issues are being discussed.
On several of its worldwide bat
tie fronts the war is taking on an
especially critical phase. The out
standing problem is the situation in
North Africa, where Tobruk is hotly
besieged and Egypt itself is contin-
gently threatened with invasion.
Concurrently, the siege of Sevastopol,
Russia S vital naval base on the Black
Sea, has reached what seems to be
climactic stage. Political repercuS-
sions from these Axis successes are
already appearing in Turkey and
other parts of the Mediterranean and
the Near East. The silver lining to
this somber cloud is the appearance
of a strong American bomber force,
but obviously large reinforcements
are urgently needed to restore the
wavering balance. And the expert
ence of recent British conveys indi-
Gates that aid sent by the Mediter-
ranean shortcut would probably
prove a costly method.
Meanwhile, on the other side Of
the world, China continues under
gruelling Japanese pressure, and Is
equally in need Of prompt assistance,
while the japanese still keep toe
hold on the Western Aleutian Is
lands. But, on that side of the globe,
the picture is lightened by naval and
air victories which have considerably
diminished Japan's striking power
and thus render less likely japanese
blows at Australia, Hawaii and our
Pacific Coast.
Such, in brief, are the chief items
in the complicated balance sheet
which confronts the two august lead
ers who are considering the next
phase of United Nations grand
strategy. 1t is obvious that nothing
would be more desirable at such a
moment than a major diversion
which would halt the current Axis
offensives in Russia and Libya. Yet
those very offensives, combined with
the chronic ravages of U-boats on
United Nations shipping, render a
second front" more difficult to
initiate. London seems to be some
what pessimistic about its possibility
at this moment. On the other hand,
Moscow continues to stress it as a
matter of great urgency.
That the President and Prime Min
lister Churchill should confer at this
time is highly understandable, even
though the British leaders trip to
America came as complete surprise.
Great changes have occurred since
their last meeting, especially the
Anglo-Russian alliance and the Rus
so-American understanding. Despite
inventions like radio and the trans
oceanic telephone, actual human
contact is still the best way of attain
ing a full meeting of minds. At such
an hour, there should be no mis-
understandings. The world looks
forward hopefully to the results of
this conference between these two
supreme leaders