Evening star., 1942-07-15
Russia Again Pleads
For Second Front 10
Divert Nazi Armies
London Sources Point
To Possible japanese
Attack on Siberia
nv tho A,soc;afad prnss

Py the Associated Press.
LONDON, July 15.-Soviet Rus
sia was reported by qualified
London sources today to be
pressing anew for the prompt
opening of a second, American
British European land front to
divert the Nazi armies pounding
at the gates Of the vital Cau-
caSuS.
These sources, who insisted on
anonymity, pointed out the eventual
peril that Japan might open a sec
ond front in Siberia to distract the
harried Red Army If the Nazis can
set the stage for 1t.
A smashing victory for the Ger
mans in the battle for the Cau-
casian approaches. they predicted,
would be followed by a Japanese at
tack on Siberian Russia. Japan was
said to have massed at least "a divi-
sions-about 100000 men-in Man
chukuo with air reinforcements
from home.
August and September are the
best months for campaigning in
Siberia, according to these sources.
They noted that there we're no signs
OF large scale japanese activity else
where on the Pacific front now.
Public Sympathy Strong.
Whatever the pros and cons, pub
lie sympathy for the reported re-
newed pleading of Soviet Ambas-
sador Ivan Maisky was demon
strated in mass meetings over the
week end at Glasgow and Liverpool,
which demanded both a new front
and all aid for Russia.
Soviet strategists, whose names
may not be mentioned, say they are
not satisfied that the British air
offensive, hampered lately by bad
weather, is a heavy enough threat
to divert German troops from the
eastern front
On the other hand, military
sources here foresee a second front
as more than just a big hit-and-
run affair-one requiring exhaustive
preparation. And they do not be-
lieve, they say, that the situation
IN Southern Russia has reached a
point where an American-British
invasion of the continent Is essential
to save Russia's armies from being
overrun.
That does not mean that they do
not see very grave possibilities"
In the present Russian situation.
Main Soviet Armies Hold.
Although the Russians are being
driven back, they said, there is no
indication that any Of the main
Soviet armies has been broken or
surrounded by the advancing Ger
mans.
The condition OF the Red Air
Force after more than year OF con-
slant fighting also is worrying ex-
perts here who said they believed
the effect of heavy German air re-
Inducements already was being felt
on the battlefront.
The offensive training OF a vast
American British army. In these
isles, meanwhile, is progressing IA
vorably, according to military
sources, who emphasize the Allied
need not, only for heavy shipping but
for Darges and tank lighters for
landing operations.
"All preparations for opening a
second front are under way and the
objective Is front which will be
permanent, not only q large hit
and-run raid" said one informant
who would not allow his name to be
used.
THE type Of operation now being
done Dy the Commands will be part
OF any major invasion scheme.
There will be need for thousands
OF lighters and tank barges which
would precede the movement OF
heavy materials to the invasion
coast"
Allied training already has simu-
lated invasion situations, with troops
assaulting the British coast from
the sea, and such maneuvers ulti-
mately will be carried out on a vast
sra1e