Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-11-14
Stain Declares Drive
In North Africa Shifts
War Tide 10 Allies
Prerequisites Created
For Second Front in
Europe, Soys Soviet Chief
BY HENRY c. CASSIDY,


to the American and British
campaign in North Africa, and
declared that it had created the
prerequisites for a second front
in Europe and shifted the po-
litical and military situation in
Europe Gin favor of the Anglo
Soviet-American coalition"
In his second letter to this cor
respondent in six weeks, the Soviet
leader said the operations in North
Africa could have been executed
only by "flrst-rate organizers" and
pledged that "the Red Army will
fulfill its task, with honor as it has
been fulfilling it throughout the
war"
Sees Pressure Relieved.
The Soviet leader said the North
African campaign would result in
"a certain relief in pressure" on the
Soviet Union in the near future and
provided the prospect of the dis
indignation of the Italo-German
coalition"
The authorized English transla-
ton of the text Of, Stains letter
follows:
Dear Mr.. Cassidy:
II am answering your questions
which reached me on November IL.
81. What is the Soviet view Of
the Allied campaign in Africa?
Answer. The Soviet view of this
campaign is that it represents an
outstanding fact of major impor-
lance, demonstrating the growing
might of the armed forces of the
Allies and opening the prospect of
the disintegration of the Italo-G Ger
man coalition in the nearest future.
THE campaign in Africa refutes
once more the skeptics who affirm
that Anglo-American leaders are
not capable of organizing a serious
war campaign. There can be no
doubt that no one but first-rate Or
ganizers could carry out such seri-
GUS war operations as the success
full landings in North Africa across
the ocean as the quick occupation
Of harbors and wide territories from
Casablanca to Ougie and as the
smashing of Italo-G German armies in
the western desert, being effected
with such mastery.
Allies Hold Initiative.
1.-TWO. How effective has this cam
paign been in relieving pressure on
the Soviet Union and what further
aid does the Soviet Union await?
Answer. It is yet too soon to say
to what an extent this campaign
has been effective in relieving i'm
mediate pressure on the Soviet
Union But it may be confidently
said that the effect will not be
small one and that a certain relief
in pressure on the Soviet Union will
result in the nearest future.
But that is not the only thing
that matters. What matters first of
all is that since the campaign in
Africa means that the initiative
has passed into the hands of our
Allies, the campaign changes radi-
cally the political and war situa-
ton in Europe in favor of the Anglo
Soviet American coalition; that that
campaign undermines the prestige
Of Hitherto Germany as a leading
force in the system of the Axis
powers and demoralizes Hitler's
allies in Europe; that the campaign
released France from her state of
lethargy and mobilizes anti-Hitler
forces of France and provides a basis
for building up an anti-Hitler
French army; that the campaign
creates conditions for putting Italy
out of commission and for isolating
Hitherto Germany; finally, that the
campaign creates the prerequisites
for establishment of second front
in Europe nearer to Germany's vital
centers which will be of decisive i'm
portance for organizing victory over
Hitherto tyranny.
Red Army to Fulfill Task.
Three. What possibility is there
OF Soviet offensive power in the
east joining the Allies in the west
W lldopCll UllC 1llldl fACVOly1
answer. There need be no doubt
that the Red Army will fulfill it's
task with honor as it has been full
filling it throughout the war.
With respect, (signeO j. Stain"
This second letter was twice as
long as the first one on October 3.
The letter was leading news of
the day on front pages of Soviet
newspapers. being displayed even
ahead of the daily war communicate,
and was broadcast repeatedly over
the Moscow radio. 1t first was read
over the radio at am. and twice
in full before 8 am.
1t was the first time that the
Soviet people learned of the official
pleasure and satisfaction held here
at the Allied North African cam
paign. Heretofore the only COM
nient had been a carefully worded
but friendly article of comment.
Taken to Kremlin Gate.
Like the first set of questions
sent to Stain, the second was taken
to the main Kremlin gate by George
Green. secretary of the Associated
Press bureau here, and handed to a
guard.
The latest letter was presented at
Cos pm. on November II and the
answer was delivered through the
Soviet press department at $40
O'Clock last night.
It was typed neatly on plain, white
paper without letterhead, but this
time the signature, with respect
j. Stalin," was written in Stains
hand with blue crayon. The earlier
letter was signed with a stamp in
violet ink.
In his first letter to me Stain said
that Allied aid had been of little
effect compared to Soviet contribu-
tons to the conduct of the war and
called upon the Allies to fulfill their
obligations fully and promptly. He
said a second front was Of para
mount importance.
The latest letter was the first di-
rect Soviet comment on the signifl-
canoe of the American campaign
although the press has been pub.
fishing reports on its progress with
evident Satisfaction