EUROPEAN SCENE

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 25, 15 December 1939, Page 2

EUROPEAN SCENE

On the Belgian Frontier Disturbing stories continue to arrive from the Dutch and Belgian borders stating that large concentrations of German troops have been remarked north and south of Aachen (Aix la Chappelle) and in the town itself. Dispositions of German troops near the Swiss border are also unchanged. Neutral countries report. the building of giant airdromes behind the German frontiers of France and Belgium. All Quiet Little or nothing has been reported from the Western Front this week, except that intermittent artillery fire has harassed both sides. Winter weather is delaying any active operations and both the Allied and enemy defences are being strengthened. Woman Fighters The first reports of woman’s active part in the present hostilities have arrived from Helsinki, capital of Finland. The body of a Russian airwoman was found in the wreckage of a Russian bomber which was brought down by the Finns. Russia and Finland At the time of going to press Russia was still attacking Finland, which had appealed to the’ League of Nations to take action against the Soviet. Russian troops attacked Finland in the north, south and centre, but reports stated that the Russian advance had been held up. Blinding snowstorms have delayed some of the attacks. Part of Finland lies in the Arctic Circle and intense cold has added to the difficulties of both defenders and attackers. Soviet ‘planes have bombed Helsinki, the capital, and other towns, destroying many buildings and killing and wounding women and children, The Finnish Prime Minister, M. Ryti, has stated that Finland will continue the struggle. Fantastic and unconfirmed reports state that the Russians machine-gunned their own men.’ Two Finnish Governments are at present Operating and adding to the confusion of reports. One is constitutional; the other is a puppet Government, operating near the Russian border. Official communiqués from Finland claim 18 tanks, 21 Russian ‘planes and 700 prisoners. Finland has informed the League of Nations that she is fortifying the Aaland Islands, one of her most vulnerable points in the Baltic Sea and @ vantage point desired by Russia. Not at -War! The Russian Prime Minister, M. Molotov, has stated that the Soviet did not recognise the Constitutional Finnish Government and would not negotiate with it. Russia did not intend to seize Finnish territory, but wished only to liberate Finland from her oppressors. He also stated that Russia was not at war with Finland. ; The World Protests World reaction against Russia has followed the attack on Finland. All Scandinavian countries have protested. Sweden is alarmed. Norway is appre-

hensive and Denmark has openly expressed sympathy for Finland. Russian embassies have been guarded against attack by angry mobs. Public opinion in the U.S.A. is in favour of Finland. President Roosevelt has condemned the bombing of towns and unofficially called for an arms embargo against Russia. The severance of diplomatic relations with the Soviet has been demanded, but up to December 6 no action had been taken. Sweden Supports Finland Sweden is disturbed by political disagreement. A Coalition Government has

been formed but it is expected that it will be defeated and that a new party will be formed which will aid and support Finland. Australians to Sail Mr. Menzies, Australian Prime Minister, announced on November 30 that Australian troops would sail overseas early in January for further training. They would take their place in the theatre of war next spring. Air Activity Enemy air raids have decreased this week, but R.A.F. activity has not relaxed. On December 4 our machines raided the island fortress of Heligoland, and reported damage to enemy ships and fortifications. Valuable photographs were taken, and while Berlin admitted the loss of one ’plane, all British ’planes returned, including one which was

damaged. Earlier in the week R.A.F. machines raided Borkum. One Dornier *plane was shot down over the North Sea, a Norwegian ship picking up the German crew afterwards. Losses at Sea Our greatest loss at sea this week was the Doric Star, 10,086 tons, on her way to England from New Zealand and Australian ports. She was attacked in the South Atlantic by an enemy raider, which has not yet been officially indentified. Several smaller British boats have been sunk either by torpedoes or mines, but the losses have been fewer this week. Since the outbreak of war 410 British lives had been lost up to December 4 as a result of mine and torpedo activity.

In that same period 33 German merchant ships, of 171,300 tons, had been put out of action with the loss of only four German lives, the result of the U-boats’ own action. Three U-boats have been officially reported sunk this week. An unconfirmed report states that between 30 and 35 U-boats have been destroyed by the Allies. Poles Executed General Sikorski has reported to the Polish Ambassador in London that there have been ruthless executions of Poles in territory occupied by Germany. Contraband Cargoes In the first 12 weeks of the war, British Contraband Control has detained nearly 463,000 tons of products, including 100,000 tons of petroleum products. A New York report states that Germany is facing diminishing supplies of petrol.

The King in France King George VI. paid an unexpected visit to France, accompanied by the Duke of Gloucester. He personally inspected the armed forces and the air arm. Frontier Clashes Reports from Hungary state that Russian and Hungarian troops have clashed on the border. There are fears, also, that’ Russia may soon turn her attention to Bessarabia.