RUSSIAN RIDDLE IS STILL UNSOLVED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 145, 21 June 1941, Page 7

RUSSIAN RIDDLE IS STILL UNSOLVED

BRITAIN'S OFFER? No Signs Of .Mobilisation Reported ' ui'e<l l'resc Association.— Rec. II a.m. LONDON, June 20. The riddle of Russia remains unsolved. While reports indicating tension were still circulating to-dav. a telegram from Moscow to Ankara stated that there were no signs of any crisis there, nor was there anv indication of mobilisation. "Nothing is known in Moscow of demands either from Germany or Rumania, adds the telegram. "Responsible observers indeed profess grounds for the belief that neither has made any approach to Russia." A broadcast message from Ankara' said the German and Rumanian preparations may be a gigantic bluff. Most well-informed diplomats contend that they are, but manv obser-l vers at Ankara contend that "the war preparations on both sides have reached a magnitude going far beyond the bluffing stage. The message concluded with the curious statement: "It is reported from London that the Russians have shown complete lack of interest in Britain's proposal of aid if Germany attacks the Soviet. It is argued that this Indifference to Britain's help shows that the Russians are not too worried about a coming war." All Information Distorted With all sources of information on the subject being distorted by censorship. the Russo-German crisis is befogged. Travellers arriving in Finland say the railway from Moscow to Leningrad is blocked bv troops and munitions. The diplomatic correspondent of "The Times" says there are two German divisions in Finland and probably the major part of a third, but they lack heavy artillcrv and heavy bombers. The Germans are promising the Finns and Rumanians the return of the territory those countries lost to Russia. The main German striking force is in an arc formed by the East Prussian. Polish and Rumanian frontiers. The correspondent draws attention to the fact that the Germans have carefully excluded all antiSoviet whispers from their jubilation about the Turco-Gcrman treaty. Finland is reported to have mobilised for war. The Government has followed up the calling-up of reserves with sharp restrictions on civilian traffic on the railways in order to facilitate militarv preparations. Finland Ready to Fight The Finnish newspaper "Helsinsin Sanomat" says: "Causes beyond Finland's control may give events a turn jeopardising our peace and liberty to such an extent that wo will be forced to defend them with everything in our power. Finland will not attach herself to any league of Powers for dishonourable action." The "Uusi Suomi" says: "A RussoGerman clash must concern us. as it would concern our eastern neighbour with whom we have a lone common frontier, and a country with which our relations have become closer and stronger." It is reported from Istanbul that Germany has repeated the demands which M. Molotoff refused in. Benin in November, covering th<- exchange of technicians, the furnishing of war materials, better arrangement of traffic and transport between Germany and Russia, and also the division of political zone- <, r :n fiuence. The "Daily Kxprt--" sa> - tinMoscow radio was heard announcing that more and more provinces, especially the Ukraine, were carrying out civil defence practice, including anti-aircra r t and searchlight tests. Ukranian troops had entered upon large-scale manoeuvres of alpine units. The "Daily Mail" savs it is admitted in Bucharest that the Rumanianshave taken certain military measures. but are acting independently in so doing. The measures are not connected with political events and must not be regarded as preparation - foj; military steps agmr.it Rii-.-.a.