RUSSIA IN THE BALTIC

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23043, 11 June 1940, Page 6

RUSSIA IN THE BALTIC

Improved Relations With Sweden and * Finland COMMON SUSPICION OF, GERMAN!* [By EDMUND STEVENS.] (Published by arrangement with the "Christian Science Monitor ) The Moscow radio has recently been warning Italy against adventures in the Balkans. In the Baltic, to guard her northern European flank, Russia has also been taking steps to build a barrier against the spread of war. In this article the recent improvement in relations between Sweden, Finland, and Russia is discussed.

STOCKHOLM, May 8. The possibility of a' tripartite pact between Sweden, Finland, and Soviet Russia is receiving serious consideration here and in Moscow and Helsinki, according to an extremely reliable diplomatic source whose identity I cannot disclose. According to the same source Soviet Russia has proposed to Sweden and Finland pacts similar to those negotiated with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania last year. It is also reported that these proposals include some plan for the joint fortification and the joint defence of the Aaland Islands. It is further reported that if the proposals are accepted Russia is prepared to restore to Finland the Karelian provinces ceded by terms of the Finnish-Soviet treaty. German invasion of Sweden's two sister states, Denmark and Norway, destroyed the bases of previous Swedish foreign policy. Sweden how is forced to'look eastward in an effort to establish a new balance o'l power in the Baltic and thereby secure some degree of security for itself. This is why the idea .of a rapprochement with Russia, which was flatly rejected last fall, now receives favourable consideration in Swedish official circles in spite of the. friction caused by the Finnish-Soviet war. Even the "Social Democraten," organ of the Swedish Social Democrats, the largest political party in Sweden, has recently altered its tone which was previously hostile to Russia and now, while' avoiding political issues, has come. out in favour of economic cooperation with the great eastern neighbour. Swedes Cherish Independence The Allied defeat in Norway has eliminated the Western Powers as factors in the Baltic for the time being, and henceforth Sweden's only hope of escaping complete military and economic dependence on Germany is to turn toward Russia. Already Germany's failure to occupy Sweden along with its sister States is attributed by many to Russia's restraining influence. It is common knowledge that Russia viewed the German expedition in Norway with disfavour, and when it learned that German troop ships were concentrated in German Baltic ports, Tass, official Soviet news agency, issued a communique pointing out the, desirability of maintaining Swedish neutrality. ' , Although this was done in the form of a denial of press reports regarding alleged Soviet diplomatic representations in Berlin, the hint was not lost upon Germany. The Reich's reply to the Russian move was the publication yesterday of the exchange of- letters last month between Reichsfuehrer Hitler and King Gustav in which the former promised to respect Swedish neutrality. ; Naturally such promises do not reassure Sweden ■ very- much. For should Germany actually decide to occupy Sweden it would doubtless find, a convenient formula such as "placing Swedish neutrality under German protection." Accordingly Sweden does not rejax its vigilance and continues to improve its defences. To-day an appropriation of 100,000,000 kroner (about

23,000,000 dollars) for additional naval construction was announced, this sum being over and above the regular defence budget. Leniency Shown by Russia Informed spokesmen assure me that Sweden was determined to resist any infringement on its neutrality from whatever quarter. Denmark and Nor-' way have given the Swedes a vivid, example of what will happen to-them should they succumb to German domination. By comparison the- situation in the small Baltic countries is idyllic. For the Russians there have so far seen the advantage of scrupulously maintaining the terms of their agreement. Such penetrations as occurred are so far painless and unapparent on the surface. In contrast to the hobnailed Nazi swagger through the streets of Copenhagen and Oslo, in the Baltic countries the Russian military has kept strictly out of sight. The economic life of the Baltic countries has not been altered so ( far except for an increasing share, of their trade going to Russia. But this is to the small nations' immediate advantage, as a good share of their former markets are closed to "them by the blockade of the Baltic. Negative Position Given It is interesting to note "a change in Sweden's relations. not only to Russia, but to the Baltic States, which contrasts strongly with the negative position Sweden adopted last autumn when the Baltic States were forced to sign their pact with Moscow. This change is reciprocated, and yesterday papers in Tallinn, Estonia, for example, carried articles predicting closer, co-operation between the Baltic States, Sweden, and Finland, and Russia. It is stated in Tallinn that when Soviet Russia discussed Swedish neutrality with Berlin the Russians stressed that Sweden's position differs radic- .c ally from that oi Norway and Denmark, and that because of Sweden's geographic position on the Baltic Sea that nation must henceforth be considered as a Baltic State—particularly since the Scandinavian bloc "no longer exists." One development that has an important bearing on the future development of Swedish-Soviet relations is -si a remarkable improvement which has taken place in the relations between v ?l Finland and Soviet Russia in weeks. ' | All outstanding questions regarding the demarkation of the frontier, exchange of prisoners, and other points appear to have been settled in an amicable spirit, due largely to the efforts of Juhu Paasikivi. Minister to Moscow, a diplomat toward whom the Soviets have always, had warm feeling. Indeed, the Russian press has oni I several occasions remarked that had 4 negotiations last fall been left in his .* hands there would have been no war. In many .other ways -the Russians, .have sought to reconcile Finland. The Finns themselves, in spite of the bitterness caused by the ■war, their - sacrifices, and loss of territory, are coming to blame the Germans more than they do the Russians —they abhore the false friend more than the open foe. In this their view seems confirmed by the Qerman radio which yesterday listed the peace in Finland among recent German successes.