FINNS’ RESISTANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1939, Page 5

FINNS’ RESISTANCE

BEARING ON EUROPEAN SITUATION EXPLOITATION BY ALLIES LIKELY. IMPRESSIVE AID EXPECTED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. 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 her 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 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 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 neutrality, but they 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 that 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 also to Norway, where public opinion is prepared to approve it. Thus, the Finns’ resistance is practically drawing the whole of Scandinavia into a combination primarily directed against Russia but really antagonistic to Germany. The Finns’ resistance is also defeating the intriguers in Berlin and their sympathisers in the Allied countries who favour a swift settlement of the war by an agreement with Herr Hitler, 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.

HOSPITALS CROWDED

CIVILIANS MAKING WAY FOR SOLDIERS. CERTAIN SCHOOLS CLOSED. LONDON. December 28. The “Daily Telegraph's” Moscow correspondent states that the populace hears that the Leningrad hospitals are crowded and civilian patients have been evacuated from the largest hospital in Moscow. The schools in Leningrad are closed, ostensibly as an airraid measure, but really to provide bed space for wounded soldiers, while the local hospitals are tilling up.