A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 118, 12 February 1940, Page 10

A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

With a view to “the eventual restoration of world peace on sound, lasting lines” the United States is planning to conduct informal diplomatic conversations with neutral Governments. It has been announced in Washington that the Assistant Secietaiy of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, will visit Britain and Europe. This news has been greeted with satisfaction in London and in most neutral capitals. More cautious approval is expressed in Palis where, apparently, the feeling is that the conversations should be limited at present to neutral States. In Rome the move is not welcomed on the ground that President Roosevelt is prejudiced in favour of the Allies. . . . Already a United States “peace offensive" is being talked ot, but there is nothing in the official announcement to indicate that the conversations will be other than purely exploratory. It would seem that Mr. Welles's principal mission will be one of investigation of the war situation as it affects not only the belligerent countlies but Europe as a whole.

During the weekend the atmosphere of uncertainty in the Neat and Middle East has become more apparent. I.n Turkey the dismissal of German technicians in the Krupp shipyards has been followed by the wholesale banishment of German officials—the result, it is stated, of the discovery of a widespread sabotage plot. Berlin has made no official protest, but Nazi propagandists aic taking the line that Turkey is being influenced by Britain and France “in an attempt to broaden the conflict.” It is announced that the defences of the North-West Frontier of India are to be strengthened. An earlier message referring to the Frontier states that British- relations with the tribes have still further improved. sj: : i ; * *

After holding a secret session, the I* ranch Chamber of Deputies has voted unanimous support for the Government. An all-party resolution authorizes M. Daladier and his Ministers to conduct die war to victory.” A vigorous review of Britain’s air activity has been supplied by the British Air Minister, Sir Kingsley Wood. He mentioned in his speech that aircraft orders to the value of £6,000,000 have been placed in Canada; also that Britain’s own output is twice that of a yeai co-

Enemy aeroplanes have again attacked small ships in the North Sea, two trawlers being sunk. Jhe raiders were driven off, and one was brought down, by Coastal Command machines. U-boats have had a bad weekend, two having been sunk by one British destroyer. They were lurking in the path of a convoy when attacked and destroyed by depth charges. *****

Fierce fighting has been taking place during the past two days on the Karelian Isthmus —Finland’s southern battleground. A Helsinki message states that the Mannerheim Line remains intact even at Summa, the weakest point. Summa is the gap on the right, flank, previously described in these notes as the one part of binland s fcitified line (or zone) on the isthmus which lacks the additional protection of a natural barrier of lakes. Beyond it, some 2d miles away, is the much-air raided town of Viborg. The latest Russian attack at Summa has cost 32 tanks and 60 lorries, while four Red aeroplanes have been shot down. North-east of Lake Ladoga the invaders’ losses are set down at 800 men. The Reds are persisting with weak offensives at Petsamo and Suoniussalmi. British Labour Party observers who have returned to London from Finland emphasize the urgent need for additional assistance if the successful defence is to be maintained in the early spring. Ihe desire of the United States to aid the Finns has been expressed by President Roosevelt, who has remarked that the sympathy of his nation is “98 per cent, with Finland.” *

The Western Front is quiet except for some artillery activity in the north-western sector of the line—the Moselle-Saar territory.