BEFORE THE ONSLAUGHT

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 228, 23 June 1941, Page 7

BEFORE THE ONSLAUGHT

Slow Lifting of Crisis Fog LONDON, June 20. The diplomatic correspondent of the “News Chronicle” draws attention to the puzzling fact that, though the German embassies throughout Europe are buzzing with belligerent statements, both Russia and the Russian diplomats are completely calm. M. Stalin is living tip to his reputation as “Inscrutable Joe.” Last Sunday he attended a performance of the comedy, 7 “Over the Steppes of the Ukraine,” thereby pleasantly maintaining (he Waterloo Eve atmosphere while giving evidence of his interest in the Ukraine.

Reports to London show that the countries along the western frontiers of the Soviet Union continue to prepare for an emergency, but Germany still shows no sign of moving against Russia. Best-informed opinion in London is that Hitler’s objective is to seal his eastern frontier before attempting an invasion of England. He does not need a military alliance with Russia, but instead a definite promise that Russia will not interfere while Germany is engaged in a life-and-death struggle across the Channel. Such economic concessions as increased deliveries of grain and oil as Hitler may pick up are believed to be a secondary consideration at the moment, though a long war would add to their importance. Negotiations Claim. (Received June 22, 7 p.m.) LONDON, June 21. Ankara radio reported that negotiations between Russia and Germany are actually proceeding, and the fact that Russia remains calm is being attributed in several quarters to her not having relinquished hope that an understanding will be reached. The Berlin correspondent of the Swiss newspaper “Die Tat’’ plainly hints at the possibility of a German-Russian pact being signed to neutralize Russia for the duration of the war. The Sw-edish Press discounts the probability of an immediate arjn'ed conflict between Russia and Germany. The Russian newspapers have become suddenly outspoken, declaring Russia’s readiness io light. "Izvestia, ’’ the Central Government organ, says: “Neither through the forests nor across the steppes, mountains or seas, will an enemy pass the forbidden boundary.” The army newspaper, “Red Star,” bluntly declares that the army is being put in fighting trim. The English propaganda broadcast from the German radio today cryptically declared, “The reason for the somewhat slighter activity of the Luftwaffe over Britain may soon become apparent to a surprised world.” Later. Russia has evacuated the populations of several districts on the Baltic coast, report refugees who have arrived in Helsinki after escaping from. Estonia.

They state that Russia has created a “devastation belt” 60 miles wide along the German-Lithuanian frontier, with bridges and railways destroyed and entire villages blown up. An Ankara report says that large concentratnons of Russian troops have moved up to the Finnish frontier. Troop movements are also taking place in Russian Poland and the Ukraine. The German military preparations on the Russian frontier include air force concentrations, to such an extent as to account for the diminution of attacks against Britain. They, it was stated, have made possible a German march into Russia at any moment. General List Again. Reports reaching diplomatic quarters in London from Rumania state that General List, who was one of the directors of the German blitzkrieg on the Western Front and commanded the Balkan campaign, has established bis headquarters 15 miles from Bucharest, and large numbers of German troops and much material continue to arrive in Rumania. This news of General List disposes of the reports that he committed suicide. A number of towns along the Russian-Rumanian frontier have been evacuated and Rumania has called up fresh classes of soldiers. The Rumanian wireless throughout the day was broadcasting stirring military tunes, and the Press hints at forthcoming decisive events. The staff of the Rumanian army is reported to have joined General List s staff. Quantities of bridging materials have been assembled in the regions of Galata and Braila. The large-scale military manoeuvres continued in Finland. A conference of Labour organizations in Helsinki passed a resolution demanding that. Finland should be kept apart from all entanglements and that she should preserve her neutrality. The Premier, Dr. Ryti, assured the delegation that its views would be given serious consideration. The assistant Commissar for rhe Russian Navy. M. Ignatiev, announced : “All units of the Navy are pre paring for reviews on July 27 and soldiers are manning ships for exer cises against a sea-borne invasion of Ijeningrad. The Red Fleet has been relentlessly strengthened/’

FINNISH CENSORS CLAMP DOWN NEW YORK, June 20. The Finnish radio announced that the Finnish Government issued a decree providing for temporary State control of all publications, radio stations, mail, telephone and telegraph for censorship reports on political conditions abroad, Finland’s relations with- other States, or questions of national defence. JAPANESE COMMENT TOKIO. June 20. A semi-official Japanese commentator writing in the “Yoiniuri Shimbun’’ asserts that tension between Germany and the Soviet is indisputable and cannot be overlooked by Japan. He added: “There is a possibility that it may have some effect on Japanese diplomacy. It is superfluous to say that. Japanese policy cannot change with a changing world situation.”