A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 100, 22 January 1940, Page 8

A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

According to Washington messages a serious difference lias arisen between Britain and the United States over the question of the interception and examination of mails. Recently the United States sent a strong Note of protest, and the British reply, which claims the of examination under The Hague Convention, seemingly has not been well received. The American reports are unofficial and sensationally phiased. They suggest that the mails dispute is the climax to a numbei ot irritations. Among the grievances named are the British icstiiction on American tobacco and the inroads made by the United Kingdom into South American trade, particularly that of the Argentine and biazt . A British official wireless account of the negotiations puts the matter in another perspective. It states that as a result of tic exchange of Notes substantial agreement exists between the two Governments, the only point of difference being that which 1 elates to the handling of United States mails on ships diverted to Butts i ports for examination and clearance. . . Another Washington message states that the agitation in Congress to sever diplomatic relations between the United States uno Russia is growing. It is believed that the United States is conceineo at the increasing friendliness of Russo-Japanese relations. * * * * * In one of his typically forceful speeches Mr. Winston Churchill has discussed the attitude of the European neutrals. He has pomtc< to the futility of a policy of “feeding the crocodile, warning tie nations that war will spread unless unity is achieved. _ Two contrasting speeches, one by the Nazi Ministei ot 1 iopaganda and the other by the British Foreign Secretary aie pubhs le this morning. They make a striking comparison bitterness an sinister threatening alongside a calm and reasoned yet nun leview of past, present and future • * * * * Finland’s military fronts remain unimpaired. Heavy fighting is reported from the Salla region (the northern area of the countiy s “waist”)., with many casualties on both sides. The Reds are besotting to still heavier air attacks, 450 bombers having taken pait in raids on southern Finnish towns and the Mannerheim (Kate urn Isthmus) Line. . . . .Swedish airmen are now serving in the Finnish air force, and Danish, Norwegian, Italian and American columns aie with the army of the republic. * * * Cold is still intense in central and northern Europe and the only activity on the Western Front is in the Blies River sector, wheie patrols have been sharply engaged. It is believed that the small neutrals of Europe are stiffening their resolve to maintain their independence. Yugoslavia’s General Staff', fearing a spread of hostilities in the spring, is calling up reservists. The Danish Parliament has passed an all-party motion that “Denmark will light if necessary. . . •” An unofficial report states that four German divisions aie on the Galician (south Polish) frontier of Rumania; also that German troops are entering Russia. This relates to a message last week which stated that Russia was believed to be about to allow German penetration of Galicia in return for assistance against Finland. Another unofficial report states that oil trains are running between Rumania and Germany at the rate of 12 a night. Hitler js believed to be exerting strong pressure on King Carol to maintain supplies.