-3- #4294, August 1, 10 p.m., from London
 
So far with every month the balance unfortunately changes more and more in favor of the enemy,
he said. The issue is being decided not by potential resources but by those actually mobilized. He
said that no figures will save the Allies unless they concentrate a preponderance of their forces at
the decisive moment at the decisive spot. This requires a unified war strategy, he concluded.  "The
remedy is the second front in 1942".
     The Ambassador said that the Soviet Government first raised the question of the second
front in July, 1941 and in the past twelve months had reverted to it again and again in
Washington.  "Establishment of the Second front this year is an absolute necessity".  He said that
there is a tendency to postpone it until the spring of 1943.
     "There are many reasons for believing theat the military power of the U.S.S.R. has
reached its peak and that by 1943 it will be lower than today", he said.
     The Ambassador stated that the Soviet casualties so far-- killed, wounded, and prisoner--
amount to about five million men.  He said that the corresponding percentages applied to Great
Britain alone would mean one and one fourth millions and for the British Empire twelve to
thirteen millions.