AGAINST NAZIS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 79, 13 January 1940, Page 5

AGAINST NAZIS

THE SCANDINAVIAN STATES. DETERMINED TO HELP FINN?. STRENGTHENING OF DEFENCES. (United. Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, January 11. Sweden and Norway are actively strengthening their defences. The cost of the Swedish measures for the year since July was revealed in Parliament as the unprecedentedly high sum of £58,000,000, income tax and property tax being increased, and £30,000,000 being misfed by loans. The programme includes naval rebuilding and schools for training pilots. Norway’s preparations include special anti-aircraft units for the army and navy, plans for the evacuation of larger towns, with all civilians participating in the perfection of air raid precautions. The three Scandinavian nations are showing their determination to help Finland. Reports from Sweden indicate that all material and humanitarian aid possible will bo given, and that the Swedish people will make all sacrifices necessary. According to the Copenhagen correspondent of the “New York Times,” * there is every indication that the Nazis have finally over-reached themselves in bullying the northern States. For the first time since the outbreak of the Avar the ever-growing Nazi demands are meeting rvith fairly unanimous opposition from the Scandinavian press as Berlin’s queer idea of neutrality is becoming over-difficult of compliance. If the Nazis had their way, the neutrals would not only fight- the British contraband control and declare that the Allied cause is not theirs, bub they would also quit Geneva and • prevent British, French and American arms from reaching Finland. It seems to be finally dawning on the Scandinavians that they are sliding down the overlong slope of concessions and that all will perish unless they stand together. Even Denmark is refusing to toe Herr Hitler’s line in the Jtussian-Finnish conflict. Sweden and Norway.

According to a report from Stockholm King Gustav, at the opening of .Parliament, said all Sweden would give Finland all possible material and humanitarian help. “The collaboration of tha neutral countries is essential to defend their common interests,” he declared.. “I hope that it Avill be equally strong in the service of general peace. I am ready to contribute to efforts to re-es-tablish peace.” The most outspoken rejection of Nazi pressure comes from Norway, where even the traditionally pro-German “Aftenposten” issues a warning that the continued press campaign will harm German interests. This unmistakable stiffening of opinion toward Nazi threats lias already resulted in a noteAvorthy abatement of the anti-Scandin-avian press campaign.

There is also reason to believe that the military and economic leaders have warned Herr Hitler not to invade Sweden. Britain unquestionably lias the whip hand in the great Powers’ scramble for control of Swedish iron ore. It is improbable that the Russians will penetrate the Swedish defence, and the Germans, even if they landed, would have to fight the length of the country, while the British would he able to send assistance via Narvik. There would also be time for the Swedes to destroy their minefields before the conqueror arrived. Thus, the only cer tain result of Nazi aggression of Sweden would be the'loss of an indispensable source of raw materials for an economically and militarily hazardous gamble. Therefore the opinion prevails that the Nazi press campaign is rather a link in the general war of nerves than a preparation for an attack. British Satisfaction. Official circles in London have noted with satisfaction that during the last few days there have been parallel developments in many neutral countries in their attitude to the two wars of aggression. Following the lead of the Pope and of the United States, a distinction is drawn between political and moral neutrality, and individual opinions are now freely expressed. There are signs Ah at unanimous popular resistance to Nazi demands that no, help should be given to Finland may in fact weld the neutrals closer together. Any such movement would lessen the likelihood of further Nazi or Soviet aggression hv forestalling attempts to single out small Powers as victims.

The comment is made here that the inspiring lesson of Finland may have taught governments not to undervalue the cause of freedom nor to overrate the strengths of aggressors. The Swedish fund exceeds £500,000. In Denmark, a member of the Danish Royal family has offered his services to Finland, and field ambulance equipment has been sent to Helsinki.

The Norwegian relief fund for Finland has reached £250,000.