EUROPEAN SCENE

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 19, 3 November 1939, Page 2

EUROPEAN SCENE

The Western Front Torrential rains have hampered operations on the Western Front this week, and the intense cold of approaching winter will make the situation more difficult during the next few months, Rivers are in flood, and German prisoners report that miserable conditions prevail in the German trenches. An attack by German troops resulted in the French falling back to a depth of six miles. It was reported that this was in accordance with the French plan of campaign, as it left the French in strongly fortified positions and on dry ground, whereas the flood waters from the Rhine and Moselle Rivers made conditions still more difficult for the enemy. By October 25 the flood waters had receded, and there were indications that the German forces were preparing for another attack. British troops are holding an unnamed portion of the Western Front defences. Journalists who have visited the British Army in France comment on its increasing size and the fine spirit of the soldiers. Troops and guns are still being sent to France. Air Raids Further enemy air raids have been made over Scotland. All these have been repulsed without loss to the British forces. On October 22 an official communiqué stated that 13 German planes had been brought down in a week. Twelve German planes attacked a convoy in the North Sea on October 21. Four enemy machines were brought down. No British ships or planes were damaged. Five German airmen were rescued. H.M.S. Edinburgh was slightly damaged in the Firth of Forth during an air raid on October 17, when four enemy planes were destroyed, but the ship was ready for sea the following day. Altogether 16 German long-range bombers have been brought down during raids on Scotland. Turkey The most important news of the week was the confirmation that Turkey had signed a mutual assistance pact with Britain and France for 15 years. Britain and France are to go to the aid of Turkey if she is attacked. This is regarded as a serious reversal for the Nazis, and the beginning of a bloc by neutral Balkan countries against Russian and German aggression. Greek papers state that such a pact will mean peace in the Mediterranean, There was been no confirmation of the Teport that an Allied loan of £60,000,000 was being made to Turkey. French Praise The French press has unanimously praised the promptness with which Britain has announced her losses, particularly that of the Royal Oak at Scapa Flow. Several statements have been issued from London that the truth will be told at all times, and the weekly reports on the war situation by Mr. Chamberlain have been appreciated both in the Empire and: in foreign countries.

U-Boat Campaign Mr. Churchill announced on October 17 that one-third of the German U-Boat fleet had been put out of action. Thirteen had been sunk since war began, and others had been damaged. Submarines had sunk 156,000 tons of British shipping. Since that statement was made three other British ships had been sunk in the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. Memel A report from Riga states that Memel, which has long been claimed and was recently seized by Germany, will be returned to Lithuania for 55 years as part of the bargain whereby Germany will withdraw from the Baltic in favour of

Russia. Memel is a small territory of 945 square miles (165 under water) between East Prussia and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea. After the Treaty of Versailles it was handed over to Lithuania from German control. Interned at Murmansk Germany’s first interference with American shipping occurred on October 23, when the City of Flint, carrying contraband, was reported to be interned at Murmansk. This action may bring violent repercussions and may clarify the situation as far as Russia is concerned. Murmansk, where the German liner Bremen is said to be interned with other vessels, is in Kola Bay, on the White Sea, and is the only ice-free port on the North Russian coast. An Allied army was sent there in 1918,

Scandinavia The Kings of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and the President of Finland, have held a conference at Stockholm and confirmed their neutrality in an official statement. Norwegian and Swedish merchant ships, which have suffered heavily in the submarine campaign, are now sailing under the protection of British convoys, but Germany has warned them that this must cease. Finland The situation regarding the Russian demands on Finland has not yet been clarified. On October 24 the Finnish delegation had returned to Moscow with counter-proposals to be presented to the Soviet Government. Official talks have been resumed, and it was reported that Russia had abandoned her demands for a military alliance with Finland. Empire Air Force Further information from Canada regarding the centralisation of the Empire’s scheme of air training states that 50,000 pilots and 400,000 mechanics will be trained there. Australian and New Zealand airmen are expected in Canada a fortnight after the conference of Dominion representatives. Inside Germany Herr Hitler called a conference of all his State governors and district leaders, but the result of the meeting has not been announced. It was reported that he wished to discover what the people of Germany were thinking at the moment. It was also reported, on October 23, but not confirmed, that Russia had refused Germany’s request for military aid, including a fleet of 2,000 war planes. Australia Australia has introduced compulsory military training. It is proposed to have a militia strength of 75,000 trained men. Rates of pay have been slightly increased. America and Submarines President Roosevelt has issued a proclamation stating that belligerent submarines are not permitted to enter American ports or American territorial waters.

Soldiers’ Club After several delays, a club for soldiers on leave has been established in Wellington, and was opened on a recent evening with an informal dance. Until a permanent location has been found the club will function at 12, Victoria Street. This is the site of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and the committee which is controlling the Soldiers’ Club will have use of the rooms there on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. Dances, games, writing materials, and reading matter will be available, as well as supper and other refreshment. War at the Exhibition . Army, Navy and Air Force will be well represented at the Centennial Exhibition. There will be three courts, one for each branch of the service, so, with war in the air and weapons of war on view, these courts should be a big attraction, One 18-pounder gun will be in the military court; there will be anti-gas equipment; models of guns, large and small; motion pictures of military activities, and various exhibits showing the historical progress of the methods of warfare and the equipment which goes with them. Two airplane engines, both working, will be featured in the Air Force Court.