IS NAZI-SOVIET CLASH IMMINENT?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 137, 12 June 1941, Page 7

IS NAZI-SOVIET CLASH IMMINENT?

FORCES MASSING

Hitler's Hordes Menace Reds On Frontier

Rec 2.30 p-m. LONDON, Jnne tl. From almost all over Europe comes evidence suggesting that Hitler is deliberately forcing relations with the Soviet to a crisis, says "The Times'' diplomatic correspondent, coinciding with the visit to London of the British Ambassador to Russia, Sir Stafford Cripps. From the Baltic to the Biack Sea about 100 German divisions are nowstanding near the Soviet frontier. All are fully equipped for war. There are three possible explanations:—(l) An attempt to lull the British into a belief that the invasion of Britain has been postponed;' (2) an endeavour to frighten Stalin into great concessions; (3) that Germany actually intends to invade Russia. The correspondent is of the opinion that the second is at present the most likely. Outwardly, all seems calm between Germany and the Soviet. There is a pact of friendship; and each apparently wishes to live and let live. That is the official superficial picture, but it is a threadbare canvas no longer covering the truth. Hitler has been .gathering the bulk of his forces along the Soviet frontier in the past few weeks. Immediately the armoured divisions had done their work in Yugoslavia and Greece they turned sharply around and paused to refit in Austria and Bohemia, then went eastward to join other divisions already in Eastern Poland. Infantry divisions were drawn from France and concentrated in East Prussia and Central Poland. Three Fresh Army Corps The correspondent continues: "Three fresh army corps from Rumania joined the others on the Bessarabian frontier at the beginning of the month. All roads from Bucharest to the frontier are re-

ported to be filled with military transports. The 90-mile road from Sibiu is bordered with many German military camps. Simultaneously, the nominal heads of occupied territories and certain neutrals have been told that the German Army is about to invade the Soviet, "Germany asked some neutrals for assurances of their continued neutrality during 'any new jwar in which Germany is engaged.' Hitler, when recently privately conversing with Prince Paul of Yugoslavia vehemently declared his determination to attack Russia in 1941. "All this comes after a winter in which the Germans developed andextended all their old anti-Soviet organisations. Several hundred Ukrainians are undergoing training at a large camp in Moravia for the coming struggle for Ukrainian freedom.' Similar organisations were built up in Poland where the Ukrainians have been given equal citizenship with Germans. Eight Strategic Roads Built "Slovakians have seen Germany build eight strategic roads across Slovakia and develop over a dozen aerodromes. The complete lack of secrecy, together with Hitler's own declarations as to strangers, suggest that the Germans are either supremely confident of -success, or the whole thing is an elaborate bluff." The correspondent concludes: "The broad acres of Eastern Europe are convenient places for a huge army. It could keep a monitory eye on the Soviet, and at the same time a striking force could be transferred westwards if the British were lulled into believing that the Invasion was postponed." The correspondent's reasons for saying that Germanv may invade Russia are that the Germans are known to have a low opinion of the Red Army and to have set their eyes on the Ukranian wheatfields and Caucasus oilfields. Manv German--: have lately said that thev were tired of depending on Stalin's pood will for supplies. It is added that the possibility of intimidation .<=eeni? very likely, but the extern of the preparations shows that Hitle.- i>. expecting great concessions. The Soviet is appasenUy wav. V. nc the German preparations As the time approaches wher. accord.rsi; to all the ?isns, Stalm mutt choo.-o between yielding ami nch. g. th - Soviet Pro=s dwtlis <.-n the r.owiv.z strenpth o; the Fled A. ::.;•. Biitain is watching nn ;<..-"s • 10.-'.-lv. that Hitler has r.ot <-'■: :tied himself to a -K course o: action. It is re]>oi ted frorj Vxhv that the strictest measures w?:i apply to Rumanian control of '.he movements of all travellers. Ships entering Constar.7-1 are order* d n anchor about 2n relies to tl-c- -outh.. <rd of the ha: bour and axait a i_iiiitary pilot. Tl.r Stockholm "Dap^nsnyheter ,, i j says m Jho reason for German •j inactivit; :n Svr;a n-.ay be that the iGerma , ' forces are a p. eser.t being !! ab-'jro ! hv th«» import-i-vr. ■■ ■'. \ h: ':. cver&hi-i,Wa even