Evening star., 1942-08-19

second front So 'e -
would be opened. David Lawrence.
Nor did it need any explanation of
how the second front would be ope-
rated for the very good reason that
the strategy of such move will de-
pend on circumstances as they arise,
That there is to be a second
front may be accepted as fact. The
President announced this plan after
the recent visit Of Foreign Commis-
sar Molotov. The only open ques-
tions have been when the front
would be opened, where it would be
opened and how it would be opened.
These are military matters depend
ent for their solution on questions
Of shipping, OF transport and OF
synchronization Of effort as between
the British and American Armies
and Air Forces.
Mr.. Stain doubtless knew all this
before Mr. Churchill came and has
known 1t for some time. Then why
did Mr.. Churchill go to Moscow at
this time? The plain inference is
that the visit was decided on as a
means, first, of quieting the public
clamor in Britain for a second front;
second, as consequence of the rather
ambiguous statement issued when
Mr.. Molotov was here, and, finally,
to demonstrate to Latin America and
to the peoples Of the occupied coun-
tries in Eu1 ope, as we'll as to the
peoples Of the United Nations, that
even though the fortunes of battle
seem to be going against Russia,
there Is no thought of capitulation
or Of separate peace.
Routes Possible Topic.
II the tides Of war finally 20
against Stain this summer in Rus
sia, 1t merely means that the whole
war Will be prolonged. AS for the
steady stream OF supplies to Russia,
they will be maintained and it is
quite possible that one of the collat-
eral reasons for the Churchill Stain
conference was to determine on al
tentative routes Of supply in case
anything happens to the gateway
In the Persian Gulf or in the event
that Japan decides to make war in
Siberian ports and waters.
Mr.. Churchill doesn't make haz-
ardous visits over enemy patrolled
areas by plane for propaganda pur-
poses alone. Since he and President
Roosevelt formulate the master
strategy for this war, 1t can be
inferred that certain decisions have
to be made In advance to protect
Russia, Britain and America against
various contingencies that might
arise In the event of Japanese
Russian War.
Then there is also the possibility
OF intensified operations in the Near
East this winter, either with or
without Turkeys cooperation. The
heads of the two governments nat
urally would canvass every posi-
bility in a personal conference, be-
cause visits like these cannot be
undertaken often during the critical
periods OF war.
Apparently the British Prime
Minister is anxious to make 1t clear
that the reverses which Russia has
suffered In the Caucasus, while dam
aging, are not catastrophe and that
the Russian British Chinese Amer
lean unity for war purposes Is not
going to be broken because OF what
the AXIS may accomplish this sum-
mer.
Second Front Promoted.
As for a second front, the public
as well as Nazi observers could very
well guess that, II a second front
had been imminent all during the
summer, the discussions In the press
of the United Nations would not
have been 30 extensive. In fact, for
a while, these discussions seem TO
have been officially encouraged In
London, possibly in the hope that
Hitler would immobilize certain
troop divisions in Western Europe
which would have been as effective
In part for diversion purposes as an
actual attack on French occupied
territory.
The Nazis have excellent recon-
naissance and 1t is doubtful whether
they will be surprised by any sec
ond front operations. What they
may not know is the time when
such an event will begin or the sue
eessive steps thereafter. Thus en-
lareed commando raids with sew
eral thousands Of men landed at
widely separated points might be
one method as distinguished from
the making OF a bridgehead by All
power through which all forces
would be landed.
Nobody who is in the know about
the second front has disclosed q
single iota of information. 1t Is, AZ
It should be, a well-kept secret but
the broad plan for such a front is
no secret and the mobilization OF
men and materials, ships and planes
for the big push in whatever form
It will be made is under way now.
That the Germans know it can be
Judged from the preparations the.
are taking to prevent civilian popu-
lations inside France or Norway
from coming to the assistance OF the
invading armies.
Reproduction Rishts Ressrved)