THE WAR, STEP BY STEP

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 107, 8 January 1940, Page 3

THE WAR, STEP BY STEP

FRIDAY, JANUARY sth

Addressing Congress at the opening of the session. President Roosevelt said Lliat the United States must be a polent and active factor in seeking the re-establishment of peace. He added; "Rut we must like wise be prepared, to take care of ourselves if the world cannot attain peace. Accordingly, I am asking for increases for the Army and Navy, which are based on common sense and not on panic." 11.M.5. Ajax arrives at Montevideo on a courtesy visit. On a similar mission is 11.M.5. Achilles which has docked at Beunos Ay res. Contraband control lias been tight ened up following evidence that nen trals have been camouflaging German exports. Finns claim that Russia lost 400 tanks and 150 aeroplanes in December. A blizzard continues to sweep the Karelin Isthmus, immobilising the Russian offensive against the Mannerheim Line. The Finns have now smashed fiv-,: of the twelve separate Russian thrusts between Lake Ladoga and the Arctic, and established a better strategic position along the frontier than at any time since tlie outbreak of the war. In the Suomussalmi area the Finnsare pursuing the retiring Russians and carrying out 'mopping-up' operations. The Rome radio declares that Stalin has ordered the Red Army leaders to spare neither men nor materials in a new effort to crush the Finns. It is reported that, in response to Stalin's request, Germany has sent a military mission to Leningrad to aid the Russians against the Finns. It comprises mainly German officers who fought against the Russians in the Finnish War of Liberation in 1918. and for whom Stalin especially asked. Russian 'planes bombed Turku Harbour again, killing live people and wounding twenty. A serious accident is reported on the Murmansk railway, where a Ilus sian troop train crashed down an embankment, causing hundreds of deaths, but it is not certain whether the smash Avas due to Finnish mines or the condition of the railway line. A new wave of arrests has swept over Czechoslovakia, the victims including four generals and members of tlie Government troops, and journalists.