FREE SCANDINAVIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 October 1942, Page 4

FREE SCANDINAVIA

POST=WAR FEDERATION' SUGGESTED IDEAS OF SIR. STAFFORD CRIPPS SOLDIER’S HUMANTARIAN WORK. Sir Stafford Cripps, Lord Privy Seal and leared of. the Brtsh House of Commons, in an interview with Alvar Anderson, Swedish journalist, published recectly in the’Veckojournalen’ (Weekly Journal) of Stockholm, states that a Scandinavian federation of a free Sweden, a free Norway, a free Finland, and a free Denmark is essential to the future stability of Europe. Both Great Britain and the United States will welcome Sweden’s help in the work of post-war reconstruction in Europe, Sir Stafford is further quoted as saying. Sweden’s humanitarian work of assistance to Greece and “other suffering continues” is “hghly apprecated among the United Nations,” the artcles also says, Excerpts follow: “When you speak of a federation, do you mean a political unity in the strict sense of the word?” Sir Stafford was asked, following his statement that a federation of the four above-named countries, “strong enough to guard the Baltic as well as sound enough to defend itself against the influence of any Great Power,” is “a necessary essential to the future stability of Europe?” “Not necessarily a political unity, but an organsation with a common foreign policy, and perhaps also a common defence,” was the reply. “How do you people in Britain look upon Sweden's position and the part she may play in the new Europe?” was the next question. Sir Stafford replied: “As the war has progressed, we have observed with great satisfaction the various proofs given by the Swedish people of their willingness to make sacrifices; their efforts for the defence of their country, and their determination to defend their country, and their independence against any attack. It is my earnest hope that Sweden will manage to avoid being devastated.

I am fully aware of the great importance this will be —if this situation maintains at the end of the war —both for the economic recovery of your unfortunate neighbours, and for the whole European reconstruction,” the English leader continued. “Are people in England generally farmiliar with this train of thought?” he was asked.

“Yes, they are,” Sir Stafford replied emphatically, adding, “and I presume Sweden will gladly make all available her resources in this connecton —in her own interest as well as that of her neighbouring countries and Europe. Great Britain and the United States will heartily welcome Sweden's assistance in this respect. Sweden already is showing her willingness to alleviate sufferings in Europe. You can tell the Swedish people that what they are doing for Greece and other suffering countries has been noticed with great appreciation throughout the United Nations.”

In publishing the above news article the “Christian Science Monitor" appended to it the following editoral not :TheNorwegian Government-in Exile at London issued a statement recently expressing its desire to adhere to a group of Atlantic Powers, among the Allies and including Sweden and Denmark, rather than a defensive bloc of purely Scandinavian Powers.