ALLIED PLANES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20132, 29 December 1939, Page 7

ALLIED PLANES

MAY. AID FINLAND PROBLEM OF SWEDEN OFFICIAL NEUTRALITY FEAR OF NAZI STEPS (Reed. Dec. 29, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 28. “The Allies are expected to exploit the advantageous situation created by the resistance of the Finns to the Russians,” says the London correspondent of the New York Times. With the Russians unable to disengage the Finnish trap, Germany must surrender hbpe of succour from Moscow. If the Russians can be kepi occupied in the Arctic, it will be equivalent to an extension of the Allied blockade of Germany’s East Front. “British and French aid to Finland is now a reality and doubtless the Russians will soon experience the fighting qualities of the Allied planes. “It is certain that the aid will assume impressive proportions, but first it is .necessary to clarify Sweden’s position.'The Swedes are officially insisting on their neutrality, but are greatly aiding the Finns. Possible Internment “Nevertheless, their official neutrality hampers the development of aid to Finland. For example, it is impossible to send planes by air because British pilots would be interned in Sweden. “Sweden fears German intervention if she openly sides with Finland. Therefore, logically, the moment has come for Britain and France to guarantee effective aid to Sweden in the event of a German attack. Diplomatic circles believe that the guarantee may be expected in the near future. “Naturally, it implies a guarantee to Norway, where public opinion is prepared to approve. Thus, the resistance offered by the Finns is practically drawing the whole of Scandinavia into a combination primarily directed against Russia, but really antagonistic to Germany. Defeating Intrigues “The resistance of the Finns is also defeating the intriguers in Berlin and their sympathisers in Allied countries who favour a swift settlement of the war by an agreement with Herr filler, creating a united anti-Bolshevist front that is based on the assumption Of the formidable power of the Russian Army, which the Finns are disproving.” A message from Oslo says that the Norwegian Foreign. Minister, M. Koht, in a broadcast, defended Norway s policy of' nbn-intervention in the Soviet-Finnish conflict, emphasising that Norway is unable to pursue any e n,, ”se because her whole defence system is based on neutrality dad adventures might be fatal to her.