The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-06


The invasion fulfills a pledge the
Russians contend Mr.. Roosevelt
gave them in 1912 but which could
not have been made good under
circumstances existing at that time
because Churchill baked. Military
history may affirm Churchill's
judgment on the question Of a 1912
invasion.
Big Story Behind Invasion
Development OF events leading
up to the western front invasion
comprise one Of the choice stories
Of wartime diplomacy. Perhaps the
end Is not yet. None knows how
deeply the Russians may have beer
offended by Anglo-American fail.
ure to hit western Europe in 1912
In May, 1912, Mr.. Roosevelt re.
ceived the Soviet Foreign Commits.
sar v. M. Molotox. who left the
White House apparently convinced
that he had been promised a sec
ond" (western) front would be
opened before the year end. The
following month Mr.. Roosevelt re-
ceived Churchill, who held that
such a 1912 undertaking would be
utterly impossible and that any
pledge thereto would have to be
abandoned.
Thereafter the evidence Of an
noyance and suspicion in Moscow
toward the performance and mo-
tives OF the United States and Great
Britain was easily and disturbingly
discernible. Stain was brutality
frank In his public utterance. Mr..
Roosevelt avoided the western front
subject for the most part but took
every opportunity to send friendly
and complimentary messages to the
Russian leader and Russian people.
Churchill Proved Stubborn
Churchill lowered his head like
q bull and wouldn't bulge until far
into 1913, stubbornly asserting that
there would be no invasion Of west
ern Europe for political or placat-
ing purposes, nor any until he and
his staff were persuaded that the
proper time had come to invade.
Just what Mr.. Roosevelt did prom
Use Molotoxe Is not a matter Of pub
lie record and may not be known
until the war Is over.
There Is ample evidence, how
ever. of Russian demands for an
early invasion of western Europe.
of American sympathy and even
willingness to undertake 1t. and Of
firm British opposition. But for
Stains insistence, 1t is possible
that there would be no invasion
in the west even now.
Conferences Begin
Throughout the long months
from May. 1912, until December,
1913, when Mr.. Roosevelt, Stain
and Churchill finally met face to
face, the Russian leader pressed
for a European invasion--and he
pressed hard. The story Is entwined
with the long series Of conferences
between Mr.. Roosevelt and Church.
iii. Of which there have been nine,
as follows:
August, l941-mid-ocean meet
ing to draft the Atlantic Charter.
Recember, 194I-Churchill at
Washington.
June. ls42-Churchill at WASH
ington.
January, 194S-Mr. Roosevelt and
Churchill at Casablanca.
May, 1943-Churchill at Washing
ton.
August, 1943-Mr. Roosevelt and
Churchill at Quebec.
September. 1913 - Churchill at
Washington.
. November. ls4s-Mr. Roosevelt,
Generalissimo Chang Kai-shek
and Churchill at Cairo.
December, l943-Mr. Roosevelt.
Stain and Churchill at Teheran. :
The second front" issue became
a hot potato between Churchill's
December, l041, and June, 1912,
visits here with Molotov's arrival
In Washington In May. It was
secret meeting but ultimately from
the White House came announce
ment that the Molotov- Roosevelt
conferences had taken place. The
announcement contained this state
ment:
TN the course Of these CONVEX
sations full understanding was
reached with regard 70 the urgent
task Of creating a second front In
Europe In 1912"
Churchill Opposes Second Front