THE ROOSEVELT-CHURCHILL TALKS
THE statements that have emerged from the Roosevelt-Churchill conversations do not add a great deal to the sum of human knowledge, nor is it to be expected or desired that they should. There is no reason to believe that the Prime Minister crossed the Atlantic to discuss any one particular question ; there was every reason to cross it to discuss all questions. Prominent among them, obviously, must be shipping, and the assumption that that has figured largely in the conversations is confirmed by the presence at the White House on Tuesday of the chief shipping representatives of both countries. It is no secret that the sinkings in recent months have been disturbingly heavy, or that most of them have taken place near the Atlantic coast of the United States and in the Caribbean. There are signs that counter-measures are beginning to be effective, but until the balance between launchings (and from launch to com- pletion there is a gap of many months) and shakings becomes more favourable than it is today plans for a second front remain largely academic. M. Molotov no doubt realises that, and the talks in America are followed with as anxious an interest in Moscow as any- where, for Russia is being hard pressed and the need for a diversion that will compel Hitler to draw off troops from his eastern front is urgent. Sevastopol still maintains its almost incredible resistance, but the fortress is not impregnable and the prospects of repelling attacks indefinitely are small, for Hitler is evidently determined to stop at no sacrifice to gain his objective, which is to free his right flank for an advance towards the Caucasus, synchronising if possible with further successes by Rommel. At Kharkov, too, heavy German attacks are being renewed. All this, as well as China's situation and tupply problems generally, has no doubt been considered in Washington, and resolute combined moves may reasonably be looked for. It is to be hoped that those members of the House of Commons who threaten to lace the Prime Minister on his return with a vote of no confidence will think better of that intention.
