The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-01-19
ATTLEE LAUDS
RUSSIAN ARMY
Deputy Prime Minister
Claims Initiative Now
Rests With Allies

London, Jan. 10 - (U.P.) - Dep
llty Prime Minister Clement r. Att
lee, praising the achievements Of
the Russian army, told the House
Of Commons today that "the initia-
tive has passed into the hands Of
the United Nations"
TT looks as II none Of that great
force around Stalingrad will escape
from the trap" he said, referring
to the Russian enlightenment OF the
remnants Of ~ German divisions.
He said German attempts to re-
lieve Its armies Of the devastating
Russian attack had failed. He des-
cribed as remarkable" the Soviet
feat Of maintaining an offensive on
O. 20O-mile front In the south, with
q depth Of sometimes as much as
100 miles.
"In the Russian winter" he de-
clared, "such an achievement will
surely take It's place In history 80
an outstanding achievement"
Referring to the North African
situation, Attlee, said there had
been some discussion, particularly
In American newspapers, concerning
alleged differences between British
and American authorities. He as
serted that 1t was only natural that
French affairs should not always
appear In the same light TO two diff
ferent nations.
ellis Majesty's government fully
appreciated the advantage Of main-
tenance by the United States gov
eminent Of relations with the gov.
eminent Of Marshal (Henri Philip.
pei Petaln," he said.
It was commons first session Of
1943 following its Christmas recess
and Production Minister Captain
Oliver Lyttleton told the members
that this twill be the peak year OF
British war production"
Attlee, referring to the recent Al.
lied air blows at Essen and Lorient,
said, I'VE shall continue to press
with these bomber attacks, always
concentrating on those targets that
will do the most toward bringing
down the enemy"
Returning to the North African
situation Attlee, after welcoming
the appointment Of General Henri
Honore Giraud as high commission.
er, paid tribute to General Charles
DeQaulle, leader Of the Fighting
French, for his bold and uncofn-
promising reassertion Of French re-
sistance."
''FOr ourselves" Attlee said, I'VE
look toward the day when the whole
French Empire, with those steadfast
elements within France gathered
around single authority on French
soil, joins In O common effort for
the break down OF the enemy pow
ers to achieve the liberation Of
France"
Speaking Of the campaign In
Lihya, Attlee said. I'VE cannot tell
where or when Gen. Edwin ROM
mel would eject to strike back. Our
objective Is the total destruction Of
enemy forces In North Africa"
He said that he had every con-
fidence In American Lieut.. Gen.
Dwight Eisenhower and In the Ale
lied forces in Tunisia. I know
everyone Is cooperating there
British, French, and Americans ri1-
der Eisenhower"
Attlee said French civil authors
ties, like French military forces,
were cooperating fully with Allied
forces In North Africa.
Turning to the war in the Far
East, Attlee said great changes have
taken place during the past year.
1.-THE initiative In Burma has
changed hands," he said, adding
that despite bad weather there was
not a day In November and De-
cember that Royal Air Force bomb
ers did not carry the fight to the
Japanese.