ALL NOT WELL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 December 1939, Page 5

ALL NOT WELL

SOVIET CAMPAIGN AGAINST FINLAND WHAT IS BEHIND SILENCE? BALKAN AND BLACK SEA TENSION. NEW YORK, December 26. The colourless nature of the Russian communiques on the fighting in Finland and the absence of claims of victory strengthen suspecions that all is not well on the front, says Mr G. E. R. Gedye, the Moscow correspondent of the “New York Times.” What is behind the silence, and why are there no figures giving the casualties and the prisoners and booty captured and lost? he asks.

The current estimates by competent foreigners of the Red Army casualties, though admittedly guesswork, place them at 20,000 to 50,000. It is not possible to doubt that the Red Army is encountering tremendous difficulties, and that its progress is disappointingly slow.

It is likely that in the absence of normal supply facilities the army columns are carrying supplies for a limited period and are under orders to reach the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia (Western Finland) at a fixed date in order to seize the railway and obtain local supplies. This means that their security is dependent on close adherence to the timetable. Any deviation would leave the armies in a deplorable position, being unable to replenish their foodstuffs and munitions.

The effect that the Russian troops’ situation in Finland will have on the Soviet Union's policy is becoming an important question, specially in view of the arrival tomorrow of the Bulgarian Minister of Finance. M Bujoliff, and, though it is impossible to check all the Finnish claims, undoubtedly the campaign is not going in the least according to the Russian expectations. Despite the newspapers’ silence, a realisation of heavy casualties is beginning to filter through to the public, but the public knows nothing of what is being experienced. Neutrals tell graver stories of terrific casualties caused by mines beneath the ice detonated under concentrations of Russian troops and tanks, of aviators and others ill-equipped to face the terrible cold, and of infantry being mown down when attacking in mass formation. The Russian public are discussing questioningly the deadlock over Finland and the absence of a revolt in favour of the “People’s Government." and also the present shortage in Moscow of

butter, sugar and milk, which is more extensive than usual. Rightly or wrongly the public blame the Finnish war secondarily; they primarily blame the unpopular German pact. Though it is probably silly, they suspect that the Germans are depriving the Soviet of milk. Citizens are noticing how Germans plunder stores of huge quantities of butter and sugar to send to their families in Germany. Internally and externally, the Soviet could use a diversion. If it is content at present with concentrating overwhelming troops, machines and munitions against the Finns this should lessen the Balkan and Black Sea tension. The Bulgarian Finance Minister's visit has caused speculation on whether a political alliance is pending, but well-in-formed quarters declare that Bulgaria has just refused the Soviet’s demand for an alliance. AIR SERVICE BETWEEN MOSCOW & BERLIN. M Stakov, Commissioner of the Soviet Embassy in Berlin, has been relieved of his post. Russia has also signed an agreement with Germany for the establishment of an airline between Moscow and Berlin.