Evening star., 1942-09-28
A Second Front9

- SINUUU TIUHt.
In formal statement rounding
| out his ten-day visit to Russia, Wen
dell Willkie says that he personally
| is convinced that we can best help
the Red Army by Establishing
real second front in Europe with
Britain at the earliest possible mo-
ment our military leaders will ap-
prove" And to this he appends the
suggestion that perhaps some of the
military leaders will need some
public prodding.'
AS the titular head of the Repub-
lican party, Mr.. Willkie is in a posi-
ton where considerable Importance
attaches to anything he says on the
Second-front question-in Russia if
not in this country. That being the
case, it is desirable to examine his
statement carefully.
There has never been any serious
disagreement with respect to the
ultimate necessity of establishing a
land front on the continent of
Europe. The real question concerns
the timing of that operation. 1t is
| apparent on the face of Mr.. WILKES
| statement that he is uncertain in his
own mind regarding the time ele-
ment, for he says that the second
| front should be opened at the earliest
possible moment our military leaders
will approve. But, despite his own
obvious uncertainty, he nevertheless
suggests that perhaps our military
leaders, in making the fateful de-
cision, should be prodded by the
force of public opinion.
Coming from man of Mr.. WILKES
standing, this is an extraordinary
suggestion. If he does not know
when the second front attempt
should be made, with the exceptional
opportunities that he has had to ex-
anime the facts, how is the force of
public opinion to play any intelligent
part in shaping the decision? Ger
tainly the average American lacks
the information and the technical
military knowledge to enable him to
form worthwhile opinion on the
second-front question. And If the
American people are not in a posi-
ton to make up their own minds in
telligently, what useful purpose is
served by suggesting that they should
bring pressure to bear on their mill
tary leaders? The answer, obviously,
is that Mr.. WILKES proposal can do
no good, and may do great deal of
| harm.
RusSia's problem cannot be solved
merely by attempting to open a sec
ond front. To be of any value to
Russia, the attempt must be meas
urably successful. And if it were not
successful, if large-scale invasion
effort were to be made prematurely
and hurled back, the consequences
might be disastrous, not only to Rus
sia but to England and the United
States.
At the present time, admiration in
this country for the courage and the
fighting qualities of the Russian
Army and the Russian people is at
high level. The temptation to say
that we should aid them, at any risk,
is strong. But vital military de-
cisions cannot be made on emotional
grounds. We should remember that
Russia did not 60 to war with the
Germans until she was attacked. And
she is fighting now, not primarily to
aid Britain or the United States. but
because she has to fight for her ma
tional existence. We must take the
same stern and realistic view of the
war and our part in it. Open a sec
ond front? Yes-but only when in the
best judgment of our military lead
ers, and with all things considered,
it is in our national interest to do So
However great our admiration of the
Russians, it is not in the best inter-
ests OF our country, nor of the Amer
lean soldiers who will have to do the
fighting, to attempt to force the
hand of our military leaders in such
vital matter by misguided appeals
to public opinion.