ALARM IN-BALTIC

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20049, 22 September 1939, Page 11

ALARM IN-BALTIC

INTENTIONS OF SOVIET SUSPICIONS or NEUTRALS "01-’l-'TCTAL NONCHALANCE” MAY CONTROL SHIPPING (Bine. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Sept. 21, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 20. The Helsinki correspondent of flic New York Times says it is widely feared that the events in Poland may have serious repercussions in the Baltic region and the position of Latvia and Estonia may be menaced in the near future. Many foreign residents in Latvia are already preparing to leave

It appears probable that the incident of the escape from Tallinn of the Polish submarine, which had been interned and which has attracted indignant attention from Germany and Russia, may be exploited for strengthening their naval control in the north Baltic on the pretext that the small States are failing in strict neutrality.

Authoritative Russian circles already have charged Estonia with “official nonchalance.” Estonia fears that Russia may enforce a threat to subject neutral shipping in the Baltic to strict surveillance. Reports that several units of the Soviet Navy had been seen off Tallinn alarmed the Estonian Government. No vessel is permitted to leave Estonian ports. Finnish coastguards sighted four Soviet destroyers steaming westwards, thus increasing the uneasiness over the fate of Latvia and Estonia. Soviet troops are moving toward the Finnish frontier.

The German High Command to-day broadcast a warning concerning . a new dangerous area outside Danish territorial waters south of the Danish Islands and extending for two sea miles in. the direction of the high seas. It is stated that fishing in the area is impossible and the area is dangerous to all ships.