NORDIC ALLIANCE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 47, Issue 2670, 15 September 1937, Page 5

NORDIC ALLIANCE

SCHEME FOR SAFETY SIXTEEN MILLION POPULATION “IT IS BOUND TO COME.” ’ ‘ J “When storm clouds darken overhead, the sheep flock together,” writes Jochim Joesten, the Copenhagen correspondent of Le Temps, in an article in the New Commonwealth, on the much-discussed Nordic Alliance, comprising Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. - ‘

“With a population totalling 16,200,000, the immense potential strength of the Nordic entente would be an important factor in the Europeon game,” adds the writer.

“It is of necessity bound to come.”

The scheme envisages a sort of miniature League of Nations, based on the regional security idea, similar to that advanced by Mr Bruce at Geneva.

“Sweden will provide money, iron ore and guns; Norway the metals and nitrates; Finland the aeroplanes, and Denmark the world’s best machine guns,” says Joesten. s

“Its best chance will lie in the psychological effect produced by the existence of a strong Nordic air fleet. This could be obtained without excessive strain by developing and then pooling the air forces.

Strong Nucleus.

“The nucleus of the Entente would naturally be Sweden and Norway, which are already so closely associated that a formal alliance would be unnecessary.

“Finland would be willing and well prepared to act as a sentinel in the East.

“Denmark’s military Nihilism offers the only difficulty. ''

“The beginnings of co-operation were seen in the recent moves by the Oslo group. “The foreign trade of the four countries show a remarkable parallel, with a growing trend towards a concerted trade policy. “If Norway, Sweden and Denmark could agree to inaugurate a reign of law and order by pooling their defensive forces and establishing a tribunal for the settlement of disputes, there seems to be little doubt that the other small States would hasten to join. “France is almost certainly sympathetic . “Uneasy Poland might see in it the possibility of salvation. “Scandinavia has a great chance to take over the moral leadership of Europe.”