A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 184, 1 May 1940, Page 10

A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

Preparing fur an imminent test of strength on a greater scale than hitherto, the Allies and Germany arc both reported to be pushing reinforcements into Norway. Allied arrivals are landing antiaircraft guns and more aeroplanes are being sent, while the Germans are said to be sending more troops, one report speaking of a convoy of 60 troop-carrying aeroplanes, apparently bound for I rondheim. There seem to be no marked changes on the battle fronts,, except that the Germans have made progress along the Oslo-Bergen railway. In the Gudbrandsdal Valley the Germans are still held in check, though apparently they have made a little progress up the Osterdal Valley. Some of the Germans who cut across from the Osterdal Valley to try to cut the important Dombas-Storcn line now held by the Allies may have reached the railway, for there is talk of lighting at Jerkin (on the railway), but it seems that the main part of this force has been engaged before reaching its objective, which the Allies may be expected to make every effort to hold anti to which they arc sending reinforcements. Ihe Germans claim that at one point forces striking south from 'I rondheim are within 2.? miles of one of the columns trying to fight its way through to them The Germans admit stubborn resistance.

Enemy aircraft arc still operating extensively in their efforts to hamper Allied movements and are becoming even less particular about their targels, which have included Red Cross units and a hospital ship. On the economic front. Germany’s losses in the balance-sheet of her Norwegian venture have been tellingly set out by the Vatican newspaper, with particular reference to her need for iron, as evidenced by a message telling of the collection of iron gales and fences in the Reich. Britain continues to progress in the expansion of her coal output, Italy being revealed as the second largest buyer of coal from South Wales. Lord Halifax and the Italian Ambassador in London arc said to have had a very friendly talk concerning a resumption of trade negotiations between the two countries. Bulgaria’s declaration, through her Ambassador to Yugoslavia, that she will be a loyal member of the Balkan family and do nothing to weaken mutual confidence is noteworthy both as a sign of growing collaboration between these countries and because in the past she has in some quarters been regarded as a malcontent likely to upset the applecart in her corner of the world if she saw a favourable opportunity of trying to regain territory lost after the last wat.