Evening star., 1942-06-21
Early Aid From U. 5.
In Libya Unlikely,
Observers Here Say
Officiol Announcement
On RooseveIt-Churchill
Talks Expected Soon

Egypt's hard-pressed defenders
probably will be forced to rely on
their own resources for weeks to
come regardless of any urgent pleas
by Prime Minister Churchill for
American aid.
Because of distance, time and
limited shipping. any American re-
Enforcement of the Middle East be-
yond that already undertaken would
be a long time operation, compe-
tent observers said.
This was the reaction to London
reports that Mr.. Churchill's current
secret conferences with President
Roosevelt we're concerned largely
with the critical Axis break Through
in Libya.
In the absence of any further in
formation from the White House
since Thursday nights unexpected
announcement that the Prime Min
lister had arrived in this country. it
was assumed the conferences con-
tinued yesterday.
Announcement Expected Soon.
With the real import of their de-
ciSions to be made known only
through future action of American
and British air, sea and land forces,
Washington eagerly looked forward
to an official announcement which
may be made this week for some
hint of the general course of the
strategy being planned
The opinion prevailed here that
the adviSability of opening a second
front in Europe this year was one
of the major questions involved in
the talks, despite London dispatches
tending to discount that possibility
because of British reverses in Libya.
Observers here pointed out that
as long as the British hold their
strongly fortified positions on the
Egyptian border their position in
Libya is only of relative Importance.
1t also was understood that Mr.
Churchill's visit to this country was
planned before the German break
through in Libya, making it unlikely
that he came primarily to seek more
American aid in that sector.
There was no disposition here to
minimize Importance of the situa-
ton IN North Africa, however.
Unless reinforcements arrive in a
month or less, any aid for 1t. Gen.
Neil M. Ritchie's imperial army
would, by authoritative estimates,
be too late to affect the immediate
perilous situation.
Six Weeks Voyage.
From United States Atlantic
ports the l4,000-mile voyage to Suez,
around the tip of South Africa, re-
quires about six weeks for a slow
convoy.
The alternative of running the
gauntlet of Axis air and sea blows
through the Mediterranean was
tried last week with undisclosed
success by a British convoy which
admittedly suffered heavy losses.
Mr.. Roosevelt undoubtedly is fully
alive to the strategic Importance of
the Middle East front to which sub
stantlal contributions of American
tanks. planes and trained personnel
already have been dispatched
Any further diversion of resources
to that area, however, would be at
the expense of the Russian and 9TH
er tneaters. because of the limita-
ton on shipping at the present
stage of the war. ~
According to some unconfirmed
reports, many of the Presidents
military advisers are urging the at
tempt for knockout blow against
Hitler be undertaken sooner than
the British believe it is advisable to
risk possible setback.
The grand strategy that has gov
erned American and British war op-
erations so far this year was laid
down by the President and Mr..
Churchill in their extended confer
ences during the Prime Minister'S
visit of late last December and early
January. They were believed to
have made plans then for major
offensive blows against the Axis in
1913.
All speculation about the Roose-
velt-Churchill conferences could be
little better than a guess because of
the strict official secrecy surround
ing them. Even their whereabouts
is being kept secret. There has
been no Official news on them since
the Thursday night announcement.
Indications are that another off,
cial statement may be forthcoming
this week, but there is no certainty
about when it will be made or how