WORLD HORROR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20110, 2 December 1939, Page 5

WORLD HORROR

REVULSION FELT EUROPE’S FEARS POSSIBLE NEXT MOVES TECHNIQUE OF NAZIS SCANDINAVIAN STATES FUTURE OF BALKANS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (R'ecd, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 1. The wave of horror and revulsion, which was the first reaction throughout Europe to the bartoarily of the Soviet in its invasion of Finland quickly gave place to fears in the north and south of Europe of new aggressions. The press of England and France conjecture concerning Russia’s further purposes in Scandinavia and the possibility of Herr Hitler using the developments diplomatically and strategically in the Western war. Germany has remained officially silent, but the invasion is obviously a further strain on loyalty to the German Government, particularly of the army, many of whose officers fought for Finnish independence and the navy, which sees the Baltic becoming a Russian lake. A report from Stockholm says that the Swedish Government has maintained silence except to indicate its full preparedness, but the public undisguisedly expressed its sympathy with the attacked and hatred toward the attacker. Swedish Indignation. Crowds gathered at the Swedish newspaper offices to read the bulletins. There were frequent individual outbursts of Indignation. Women burst into tears when the bombing of Helsinki was announced. Only a Government prohibition will prevent many Swedes, Danes and Norwegians going to Finland to volunteer. Amsterdam reports state there is indignation throughout Holland. Crowds smashed the windows of the Communist newspaper Volks Dagblad and also a Russian book shop for which a man was arrested. Forced to be Onlookers According to an Oslo dispatch, the Norwegian newspaper, Aftenposten, says: ‘‘We are forced to be mere onlookers, tout we can at least express sympathy with Finland and atohorence of highwaymen. A Madrid report quotes the newspaper ABC, which says: "The invasion of Finland has demonstrated the sacred character of the .Spanish crusade against the enemy of civilisation and Christianity.” A message from Rome says it is difficult to recall any international incident which has .whipped up sufti a wave a£ spontaneous anger. If it were geographically possible, thousands of Italians would rush to the aid of Finland. Political circles in Rome see 1 the invasion as a further step in the plan begun when Russia walked into Poland, of which the next steps may ,be the Balkans. Sympathies in Japan According to the Tokio correspondent of the Unified Press of America, the sympathies of the Japanese newspapers are with Finland. The Tokio press issues a warning of the small value of Soviet non-aggression pacts. The Nichi Nichi sees an ultimate threat to Germany. Yomiuro says: “The Soviet attitude to Finland is a lesson .for Japan, which is also Russia’s neighbour.”