NAZI THRUSTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 June 1941, Page 5

NAZI THRUSTS

THREE MAIN ATTACKS THE POSITION OF SWEDEN. PRESSED TO JOIN AXIS. i Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, June 23. Besides the German offensive on the Polish front, along the River Bug, there appear to be three main German attacks—firstly, from Finland to Leningrad; secondly, from East Prussia to Moscow and thirdly from Rumania to the Ukraine. The attack on Leningrad is making across the Karelian Isthmus, which was a battleground between Russia and Finland eighteen months ago. The drive from East Prussia is making across the former Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Regarding the third movement, Russian troops are reported to be evacuating Bessarabia, under cover of a defensive screen along the Pruth River. A stand may be made along the Dneister River, which was the old Russian-Rumanian frontier line. The Moscow radio gave a long summary of Mr Churchill's speech in the early morning. Not unnaturally, the summary omitted his references to Communism, but it quoted the words about Britain’s assistance verbatim. The Swiss “Dietats” -Berlin correspondent says Hitler issued a proclamation and intended to make a speech at a meeting of the Reichstag, which was cancelled at the last moment.

Swedish Press generally deplores the nearness of the war to Sweden. The “Aftonbladet” declares that it is incomprehensible and unpardonable that Britain should have refused to participate in a united front against a Sovietised East. There is no doubt of the outcome of the Russian-German war. it is added, in view of the strength of Germany. Finland and Rumania. The “Aftonbladet's” correspondent in Berlin says political quarters there declare the question for Sweden is whether she will travel first-class or in the luggage van in the New Europe. He says: "This is Sweden's last chance and she must act rapidly and without hesitation.” The Swiss “Dietatat’s” Berlin correspondent quotes political leaders as saying Sweden will be forced to join the Axis. Finland's position in the campaign is obscure. A Finnish Government spokesman insists that Finland is not at war. No attacks have been launched against Russia from Finnish soil. Hitler’s attack on Russia is interpreted in some quarters, says an Ankara message, as an open confession that. Germany’s supply situation is serious so that she must obtain Russian commodities if she is to wage a long war against Britain. Turkish military circles are of opinion that the main Axis drive will be through . the Ukraine, while the Soviet is expecting an attack through the Baltic States. A Vichy news agency message from Stockholm says all Swedish Army, Navy and Air Force leave is cancelled. Another source says all Swedish ships have been ordered to return home. The Moscow radio warns Russians to prepare for ruthless attacks by German air bandits. Shelters must be established immediately wherever needed and must be made gas-proof. The message says: "Our enemy is bloodthirsty and cruel and his attacks won’t remain unpunished.” The Berlin high command’s latest communique claims that operations against the Red Army are progressing favourably and according to plain. It adds that German E-boats have penetrated Soviet coastal waters in the Eastern Baltic, sinking one patrol boat and four merchantships.

SOVIET AMBASSADOR VISITED BY MR WINANT. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON. June 23. The U.S.A. Ambassador to Britain, Mr J. G. Winant, has called on M. Maisky, the Soviet Ambassador to Britain.