STIFFER ATTITUDE BY EUROPEAN NEUTRALS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 100, 22 January 1940, Page 7

STIFFER ATTITUDE BY EUROPEAN NEUTRALS

Maintenance Of Independence

ACTIVITY IN BALKANS AND BALTIC (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) Received January 21, 7.30 p.tn. LONDON, January 20. There is a stiffening throughout Europe in the determination of the neutrals to maintain their independence. Four German divisions are reported on the Rumanian-Gali-cian frontier. German troops entered Russia en route to Odessa and the Turkish frontier. The Soviet announced that intensive civilian air raid drills would be held throughout Russia from March 1 to May 1, involving a million persons in schools, factories and offices. & The Prime Minister, M. Saydam, told the Turkish Parliament that talks between Turkey and Bulgaria had established friendship and indentity of views in efforts to stabilize Balkan peace and security. He added that Turkey had decided that democracy was the best course. Yugoslavia today called up five classes of reservists. War materials, mostly from Italy, are constantly arriving. Evacuation plans are complete. According to the general staff’s opinion trouble is possible in the soring.

The Danish Parliament assured Sweden that Denmark would not allow Danish territory to be used as a German base in the event of Russian and German action against Sweden. Parliament passed an all-party motion declaring that Denmark will fight if necessary to defend her neutrality and independence. The only dissentient was a German minority member, JI. Stauning. Sweden officially is very cautions regarding the extent of aid to Finland, but contributions from industry, mostly in the form of materials and supplies, have reached £3,500,000, in addition to £500,000 in cash. Contingents of volunteers and convoys of lorries laden with supplies leave daily for Finland. The

Government announced that the digging of air raid trenches would begin immediately in all parks. It is erecting shelters in market places and speeding up the building of large underground shelters.

Norway’s Parliament expressed identical views to those of Denmark. “Fortunately Norway remains outside the war, but our difficulties are many,” said King Haakon, speaking at a banquet in honour of the opening of Parliament.

“The war between Russia and Finland is a new factor of danger, but we hope they will soon have peace.” He concluded by referring to the solidarity of the Norwegian people, whose goal was free and independent nationhood.