HORROR IN EUROPE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 December 1939, Page 5

HORROR IN EUROPE

AWAKENED BY SOVIET BARBARITY POSSIBILITY OF FURTHER AGGRESSION. NEXT STEP IN THE BALKANS? I By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, December 1. The wave of horror and revulsion which was the first reaction throughout Europe to the Soviet's barbarity, has given place quickly to fears in north and south Europe of new aggressions. The Pi-ess of England and France conjectures on what further purposes Russia has in Scandinavia and on the possibility of Herr Hitler using developments deplomatically and strategically in the western war. Germany has remained silent officially but the invasion will obviously further strain loyalty to the Government, particularly in the army, many of whose officers fought, for Finnish independence, and in the navy, which sees the Baltic becoming a Russian lake. Messages from Rome state that it is difficult to recall any international incident which has whipped up such a wave of spontaneous anger. If it were geographically possible thousands of Italians would rush to aid Finland. Political circles there see the invasion as a further step in the plan begun when Russia walked into Poland, of which the next steps may be the Balkans. IN THE FAR EAST RUSSIAN AIR BASES STRENGTHENED. ANTICTPAT'IOONS OF ATTACK ON JAPAN. NEW YORK, December 1. The Washington correspondent r of the “New York Times” says the Soviet has strengthened her air bases in China, including a base at an altitude of 10,000 feet at Hweiyuar, northward of the Tienshan mountains, where training in highaltitude flying will be carried out. Other bases, strengthened are al ’ Kami, Ansi, Kiuchuan, Winwei and ' Lanchow. These measures give hints of air attacks on Japan proper in the ' spring time in an attempt to force an . agreement on zones of influence in China, Russian planes and pilots are reported to be at Chentu, northward of Nanning, threatening an attack on the | Japanese in China is they decline to negotiate. , The Tokio correspondent of the , United Press of America says the newspapers sympathise with Finland, whose case is a warning of the small value of Soviet non-aggression pacts. The “Niehl Nichi Shimbun.” sees an ; ultimate threat to Germany. The “Yomiuri Shimbun” says: "The , Soviet attitude to Finland is a lesson to Japan, which also is Russia’s neighbour." AMERICAN COMMENT WORLD SHAKEN BY LATEST OUTRAGE. THREAT TO ALL CIVILISATION. NEW YORK. November 30. The "New York Times,” in an editorial, says:—“The outer world has been peculiarly shaken by this latest outrage—invasion with no pretence of an excuse beyond a burglar’s desire to possess others' property. One thing is clear, that the victim of aggression will c not be the big casualty in this brazen c war. The great edifice that is crumbling is built on moving slogans, preten- J. sions, promises, dreams —the dreams of ? those looking to Moscow as the capital 1 of the world proletariat. The bombs r raining on Finnish workers finally ex- e plode this mighty illusion. Defeat will 11 not be Finland’s. It will be the defeat of the Russian revolution and the power of the idea giving the Communist International what dominion it had.” The “Herald-Tribune," in a leader, says: “What the United States can and should do is for the future to decide. Americans were never so free from war excitement or firmer resolved to maintain peace as long as they safely can. But they must accept the truth that the forces of evil which the v Russian-German alliance have un-.U leashed threaten not only Democratic 1' Europe, but also the whole civilised ei world. However remote the United Cl States hopes to remain from actual hostilities she owes a duty to decent sl opinion to express horror and detestalion at the latest totalitarian crime.” S 1

FATE OF BESSARABIA FEARS OF QUICK MOVE BY RUSSIA. NEW YORK. November 1. The Washington correspondent of the "New York Times" says diplomatic reports indicate that a quick move to take over Bessarabia may follow Russia's attack on Finland. RADIO REPORTS SURRENDER NOT CONFIRMED. DETAILS OF RUSSIAN LOSSES. Daventry reports that there is no offlicial support for the statement, that it is believed that Finland will, surrender. Reports of the wonderful resistance by the Finns are beginning to come through, although many of the accounts lack confirmation. It is reported that Finnish forts sank a Russian warship, that 15 planes were shot down, several tanks put out of action and hundreds of Russians taken prisoner. Jlensinki was subjected to violent intermittent air raids. In addition to the organised evacuation, thousands lied on foot and camped out. Others seeking refuge in Norway were attacked by low flying planes. Russia continues to issue inspired propaganda about dissasisfaction in Finland. declaring that the Finns are suffering at the hands of tyrants and j hangmen and await the entry of the "Glorious Red Army,"