THE WEEK OVER THE WORLD

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22851, 26 October 1939, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE WEEK OVER THE WORLD

The Western Front Torrential rains on the Western Front ppparerjfTy gave a severe setback to German xnilitairy ojperatioTis at the end of last week. The Rhine was in high flood, and had flooded part of the Siegfried Line. Although the water was licking the lower works of the Maginot Line, no serious danger was threatened. Still rising, the river had exceeded last year’s highest level by 19 inches. The French withdrew to a more strategic position, leaving the Germans to occupy what was little more than a swamp. The heavy rain was continuing, swelling both the Moselle and the Rhine. The weather has now begun to improve, and frost is hardening the ground, the effect of which is to stimulate activity.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Threat to Holland A dispatch from London published in the “Neyi York Times” says that before the end of the year the Netherlands may be the object of strong German pressure, and may be menaced by direct invasion. The writer adds that if the Germans were able to cross or to establish air fields in Holland, the problem of anti-British aerial attack would be simplified. German Air Raids It is now certain that the Germans lost at least 16 long-distance bombers on their recent attempts on the Firth of Forth and Scapa Flow bases, and in raids off the Yorkshire coast. Britain suffered 30 casualties in the Firth of Forth raid, and slight damage to four warships. So slight was this damage that all the ships were able to proceed sea the same day. The recent German air attacks on the British Fleet and naval bases are interpreted by many shrewd observers as an indication that the results of the Üboat campaign are now recognised as disappointing in Berlin. Italy and Jugoslavia Italy and Jugoslavia are arranging a trade agreement whereby Italian yarns will be exchanged for Jugoslav cereals, livestock, meat, and copper ore. U-Boats Refuel in Iceland The American golf professional. Rube Arneson, returning to New York from Iceland, said that two German submarines refuelled at Reykjavik, the capital, on September 19. They were then en route to Germany. One carried three wounded sailors, one of whom had bullet wounds in his arm and a shell splinter in the left side. He was interned in hospital. He said he was wounded when aeroplanes attacked the sub-, marine off Canada. Soviet Gold Germany is not receiving the 17i tons of Soviet gold, which was reported to have been railed to Berlin through Lithuania under' 4 the terms of the German-Soviet Pact. The bullion has been deposited in Dutch banks, and will probably finance Russian purchases from the United States and manufactures previously ordered from Britain, which could not be delivered because of the war. ■

led to a war in the Mediterranean. Turkey promised assistance to the Allies if they became involved in a war in the Mediterranean through aggression by a European power or a war arising from their guarantees to Greece and Rumania; she also agreed to observe a friendly neutrality to the Allies in any hostilities in which she was not obliged to assist. The pact also provided for consultation between the three countries as to what should be done if a country guaranteed assistance by one of them was attacked,

Meat Supplies for Allies Britain and France will take 170,000 tons of beef and 30,000 tons of mutton from the Argentine in the next four months, under an agreement which has just been signed by the Allies. This is believed to be the largest single transaction of its kind in the Argentine meat industry. Britain will also buy 8000 tons of Uruguayan beef and 5000 tons of mutton. One of the first signs of war rationing is a decree under which beef, mutton, and veal must not be sold or served in restaurants on Mondays. Beef must not be sold or served on Tuesdays. The King to Broadcast The King will broadcast on Christmas Day at the conclusion of the “Round the Empire programme.” Food Cards for Animals All horses, cows, and pigs in Germany, except those owned by farmers, must have food cards from November 1.

Pd Of- With Tnrkev or if an y attack seemed to threaten the sr Q.CI W Itil X UrKey security of any one of the three. The signing of a mutual assistance pact « was between Great Britam and France and si ,onJd toe at war with KossjaTurkey at the end of last week was con- The pact appeared to have caused much sidered the most important diplomatic event uneasiness in Germany. Herr Hitler resince the beginning of the war. Britain and called the German ambassadors to Turkey, France agreed to come to the assistance of Moscow, and Italy, and ordered Nazi aisTurkey if she was attacked by any European trict leaders to Berlin for a conference, power, or if aggression by a European power Newspapers in Germany made angry com*

ments. At the same time telegrams were exchanged between the President of Turkey (General Inonu) and His Majesty the King, mentioning the value of the pact for peace. British, French, and Turkish military leaders completed talks for co-operation. It was later reported that Britain and France had agreed to lend £60,000,000 to Turkey. This, however, was denied on the following day, but it was stated that a British and French visit would be made to Turkey to discuss credit arrangements.

Russia and Finland A message from London says it is understood that Russia is no longer claiming the Aaland Islands from Finland, but is merely asking Finland not to fortify them and to remove the present defences. Russia, according to the Moscow radio, has also dropped her demand for a military alliance. She will be content if Finland pledges not to participate in any combination of Powers directed against the Soviet. The Aaland Islands consist of a group of some 300 isles and rocks at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia, now part of the republic of Finland. Only about 80 are inhabited; the largest, Aaland, is 18 miles long, and the area of the group is 551 square miles. Mariehamn is the chief town. The people, mainly of Swedish origin, are skilful sailors and fishermen. Hardy cereals and cattle are raised, and meat, fish, hides, and butter are exported. In 1918 a referendum resulted in favour of union with Sweden, but in 1921 the League of Nations decided that the islands should belong to Finland.