Evening star., 1942-03-08
Russians Pressing
For Second Front in
Northern Europe
Hitler Can Be Beuten
By Autumn in Bold
Drive, Reds Argue
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, March 7-Soviet pres
sure for second front in Northern
Europe which might swiftly link
British, United States and Russian
troops on a solid line was increasing
in London tonight, with consider
able Anglo American support.
The Soviet argument. heard now
wherever Russians, British and
Americans meet, is that Hitler can
be beaten by Autumn provided there
is bold use of his own divide and
conquer strategy against him, and
that once he is disposed of, Japan
will be considerably less formidable
to the United Nations.
Then, it is argued. United States
and British naval forces would be
free from Atlantic tasks for con-
certed action in the Pacific.
The Russians are encouraged to
believe that establishment of
second front is not far off by the
arrival of increasing United States
forces in the United Kingdom.
They talk freely of Northern
Norway, where the coastline is
difficult to guard and the country
ideal for the inf1ltration tactics
practiced by Japan in the Pacific
campaign.
Common Front Urged.
An Anglo American drive across
the top of Norway, which is almost
contiguous with Soviet territory,
could result in establishment of a
common United States British
Soviet frontier and protect the
Northern supply route via Muir
mansk and Archangel, it is con-
tended. 1t also would free some
Russians troops now in the Far
North for stronger offensive action
on the central and southern fronts.
The Russians want such a front
combined with increased British
and American bombing attacks on
Germany to hamper the Reich's
war industry and snarl German
rail lines 50 that Hitler will find 1t
difficult to move armies east to
protect weak points
On the eastern front itself, to-
nights Moscow communique told of
continued advances and liberation
of numerous additional places by
Red Army forces during the day
after fierce fighting in which the
Germans sustained heavy losses.
The communique listed IS Nazi
planes downed yesterday against
seven Soviet losses and reported
destruction Of three German raiders
today near Moscow.
But despite the continued sue
cesses of the Red Army winter cam
paign, the Russians contend they
should not carry on alone indefi-
nitely.
Times Expresses Concern.
There are many people in Britain
who feel the same way as the Rus
slams. Sir Stafford Cripps has been
urging greater coordination with
the Soviet war effort. The important
Times today expressed concern over
Russian anxiety about Inadequate
supplies from the west and Allied
postwar intentions and urged
closer tri-power political collabora-
tic:. 1t said Russia asks for more
than material supplies: Rus
sia claims the right, which Lon
don and Washington equally claim
on tn T. own behalf, of judging for
herself We conditions necessary to
her own security"
Some important American opin-
ion in London likewise parallels that
of the Russians at least to the ex-
tent that it is upon aid to Russia
and defeat of Hitler that the Allies
should first concentrate, while they
are mastering their strength at sea
for countermoves in the Pacific.
No Bases Now Available.
They point out that the Allies
now have neither the seapoWer nor
the airplane bases to strike at the
heart of Japan, and they say Russia
cannot be expected to give them
bases under the present circum-
stances because that would lay Rus
sia open to an immediate stab in
the back from Japan at a time
when the Red Army is heavily en-
gagged in the west.
But they believe that if the
United States and Britain help rid
Russia of her pre-occupations in
Europe, Russia will not have to
worry about what happens in Asia
and will grant the United Nations
the free use of VladivoStok.
The way this view comedies with
that of the Russians is taken by
some observers to indicate there
may be some bargaining between
Russia on one hand and Britain and
the United States on the other on
the basis of Russian promise of
Far Eastern bases in return for
stepped-up supplies and the OPEN
ing of a second front in the west.
l.