DRAMATIC MOVES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 143, 19 June 1941, Page 7

DRAMATIC MOVES

GERMANY AND RUSSIA

GREAT SURPRISES EXPECTED

LONDON, June 17. The mystery of Geitmany and Russia developed dramatically today, with heightening of the Baltic tension, large-scale troop movements en the coast of Norway, and Swedish accusations against Finland of complicity in a German plan.

Sources inspired by Berlin hint that Hitler is on the eve of a momentous decision, and it is widely expected that the next few days will bring unparalleled surprises. The Swedish newspaper "Dagens Nyheter" declares that the calling up of Finnish military classes and practice in the evacuation of towns, coupled with reports that German transports are proceeding via Bothnia to Norway, indicate that Finland is appreciably changing her neutrality policy. The paper adds that when the Finnish representative in Moscow was reproached for Finland's friendliness towards Germany he is reported to have answered: "Friendship "between Russia and Germany is so conditional that the Finnish neutrality policy has reached a problematical stage."

All reports indicate that thie Germans are concentrating large military and naval forces on the west coast of Norway. It is stated that many troops and marines have passed westwards from Oslo, and that ships, including transports, are constantly moving through the Skager Rack. The Norwegian coastal region is now a fully prohibited area. The Moscow radio, announced a drive on a big scale for the military training of Russian youth in Bessarabia.

Rumama is feeling the effects of the war of nerves. A black-out has been imposed throughout the country, and the petrol restrictions have been tightened.

The "Daily Mail" says that Russia is "on the verge," although she may yet yield to the German economic demands. Stalin would then build up for a war of revenge while the Nazis elsewhere faced Britain and-the United States. Germany is therefore possibly taking the view that it is necessary to destroy the Soviet army now." —U.P.A.