DOUBT IN RUSSIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 306, 28 December 1939, Page 7

DOUBT IN RUSSIA.

COMPLEX OUTLOOK.

Campaign Not Progressing

According To Plan.

REALISATION OF HEAVY TOLL.

United Press Association.—Copyright.

NEW YORK, December 27.

The effect the situation of the Russian troops in Finland Avill have on Soviet policy is becoming an important question, especially in view of the arrival to-day of the Bulgarian Minister of Finance, says Mr. G. E. R. Gedye, Moscow correspondent of the "New York Times." The visit of the Bulgarian Minister has caused speculation whether A political alliance is pending, but well-informed quarters declare Bulgaria has just refused the Soviet's demand for such an agreement. Although it i* to check all the Finnish claims, undoubtedly the campaign is not going in the least according to Russian expectations. In spite of the silence of the Moscow newspapers, realisation of the heavy casualties incurred is beginning to filter through to the public, but the public knows nothing of the graver stories of terrific casualties caused by mines beneath the ice, detonated under concentrations of troops and tanks; of aviators and others ill-equipped to face the terrible cold; and of infantry mown down in mass attacks. The Russian public is discussing questioningly the deadlock in Finland and the absence of a revolt in favour of the puppet "People's Government," and also the present shortage of butter, sugar and milk in Moscow, which is more extensive than usual. Rightly or wrongly, the public blames the Finnish war in the second place, and in the first place the unpopular German pact. Although it is probably silly to suspect the Germans of depriving the Soviet of milk, citizens are noticing how the Germans plunder the stores of huge quantities of butter and sugar to send to their families in Germany.

FURTHER 5000.

Swedish Reservists For "Winter

Training."

NEAB FINNISH FBONTIEB?

(Received noon.) STOCKHOLM, December 27. A further 5000 reservists have been called up for "winter warfare training." They have been ordered to bring their own skis. It is understood that the training ia to occur near the Finnish frontier.