Late News POLISH FRONT

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 229, 24 June 1941, Page 8

Late News POLISH FRONT

Withdrawal To The “Stalin Line”? SOVIET DEFENCE ( Received June 24, 1.55 a.m.) LONDON, June 23. As is to be expected in the early days of the Russo-German campaign, the news is scarce. The most interesting item is the first Russian communique, which shows that the only German advances admitted so far are across the Demarcation line formed by the River Bug. which cuts Poland in two.

The Germans expect to reach the so-called Stalin Line on the old Soviet frontier soon, which is ver}' likely if reports are true that the Red Army is withdrawing on to this line. German military circles claim to know the “Stalin Line” thoroughly and are not impressed by it. A report from Ankara says the Red Army has taken the offensive on at least one sector of the Polish front. Berlin radio, in claiming the crossing of the River Bug, said that long columns have penetrated deep into Russian territory. Ankara reports that very reliable Turkish sources state that Turkish coastal vessels sighted an unspecified number of Russian destroyers and sub marines in the vicinity of the Bosphor ous. ' EXTREME CAUTION Canberra Officials’ View Of New War Prospects ■SSL (Received June 2-1, 12.15 a .in.) ' CANBERRA, June 23. Commonwealth oflieial circles were startled by the swift march of war ■ events yesterday. They attach much importance to the fact that Russia's entry into the war on the side of rhe democracies should immediately close the gap in the-economic blockade At the same Lime it is felt that Hi'ler may soon be in a position of helping hirnse!*’ to the much-needed commodities and war materials in the Russian terri tories at which he is aiming. The official attitude in Canberra was summed up today as follows: “'While Russia’s resistance may turn out to be unbelievably good news for the democracies, the Government prefers for the time being to view the prospects with extreme caution.”