Russians Caught in Finnish Trap

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 307, 29 December 1939, Page 7

Russians Caught in Finnish Trap

Will Allies Exploit Advantageous Situation ? Scandinavia Will Be Drawn In United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Thursday, 10.30 p.m. NEW YORK, December 28. The Allies are expected to exploit the advantageous situation that the Finns’ resistance has created, says “Augur,” the New York Times’ correspondent in London. With the Russians unable to disengage themselves from the Finnish trap, Germany must surrender hope of succour from Moscow. If the Russians can be kept occupied in the Arctic, it will be equivalent to an extension of the Allied blockade to 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 this aid will assume impressive proportions, but first it is necessary to clarify Sweden’s position. The Swedes are officially insisting on neutrality, but are really greatly aiding the Finns. 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. “Augur’’ says 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 a guarantee may be expected in the near future. Naturally, it implies a guarantee to Norway, where public opinion is prepared to approve. Thus the Finns’ resistance is practically drawing the whole of Scandinavia into a combination primarily directed against Russi but really antagonistic to Germany. The Finns’ resistance 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 Hitler creating a united antiBolshevist front. That is based on the assumption of the formidable power of the Russian army, which the Finns are disproving.

No Military Help From Norway

“ADVENTURES MIGHT BE FATAL TO HER” Received Thursday, 9.20 p.m. OSLO, December 28. M. Koht, broadcasting, defended Norway’s policy of nonintervention in the Soviet-Finnish conflict, emphasising that Norway was unable to pursue any other course because her whole defence system is based on neutrality and adventures might be fatal to her.