Evening star., 1942-06-20


announcements, but in the weeks
that followed the strategy adopted
was gradually unfolded. Decision
had to be made then as to how much
aid would be extended to the Dutch
East Indies or the Philippines, what
would be sent to Russia and how
the European fronts would be ap-
piled. notwithstanding the demands
Of Australia and our own mid Pacific
situation.
Today it may be assumed that big
decisions will be made that will not
be announced this coming week and
perhaps not at all. The determine
tions must necessarily concern the
next and most vital step in the war.
Where shall the second front be
opened? And when? How shall
the American troops be modified
and at what points? How will the
tonnage for any cross Channel in
vasion be gathered and what will be
the nature of the heavy air attacks
that will be made by American
bombers and the Raj as the Allies
start their biggest offensive of the
war?
War on Nerves.
Will there be attempts at Norway
at the same time? Will the Amer
ican troops be intrusted with the in
vasion in France. There is some
reason to believe that an American
Expeditionary force landed in
France will be more welcome than a
British force. Still the movement
will have to be an Allied affair in
order to utilize air power and sea
power along with land army move
ments.
The fact that our Government
officials are so ready to mention a
second front as one of the things
being discussed and the fact that,
when the British-Soviet treaty and
our own lease-lend agreement with
Russia was proclaimed, a formal
announcement of an intention to
open q second front was broadcast
leads to the conclusion that the
Allies want the Axis powers to be
affected nervously by these moves
and as soon as possible.
The broad strategy of a second
front Is not being disclosed One
hears varying opinions here and
some are contained in London dis
patches to the effect that the Allies
are not yet ready and that they must
not risk a possible disaster by a pre-
mature move or inadequate prepara-
tions.
Offensive Strategy Supported.
The United States, on the other
hand, has generals and admirals and
flying officers who believe that war
cannot be fought indefinitely on
defensive basis and that an offensive
must be invoked this summer at all
costs. The Russian situation, for
one thing, demands relief. With Ger
s
Russia and the fortunes of battle in
the Crimea turning toward the Nazi
side, it may be taken for granted
that more propitious moment to
draw Nazi troops from the Russian
front is not likely to occur.
Realization that 1912 is the deci-
sive year of the war-the turning
point-though not necessarily the
year of military victory-is funda-
mental. So when Mr.. Churchill and
Mr.. Roosevelt get together it can
be inferred that they are ready to
exchange the secret information
they both possess. Data of this kind
cannot be risked by cable or radio or
by courier even though put in code,
for the chances of interception,
while possibly remote, are neverthe-
less present.
1t is not merely the opportunity to
communicate secretly with each
other. however, but the chance to
talk things over and, after having
exchanged information to make de-
cisions instantly and again under
the seal of secrecy begin to carry
them out-this is the value of these
personal parleys.
Job for U. S. and Britain.
In the last war, we had Supreme
War Council and met in Paris not
far away from the only major front
of that war. 1t was simple mat
ter for Gen. Pershing and Gen. Bliss
to confer with Marshal Foch, and
occasionally the heads of the British
and French governments were avail
able to sit in at the occasions. This
war, however. concerns two big
states on one side of Germany,
whereas Russia is managing the
other front alone, with planes and
war materials being supplied in
steady stream from Britain and
America.
The strategy of second front is
essentially something for Britain
and America to evolve. The Supreme
War Council is now in session some
where in a secluded spot 1t may
be hoped that the public will be pa
tient as time is taken to put into
effect the decisions reached. A
month or two from now we may
know what the conference this
week end really meant.
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