Invasion Of Finland May Cause War Extension

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1940, Page 9

Invasion Of Finland May Cause War Extension

The rate of international developments has been vastly accelerated of late, writes Professor Stephen H. Roberts in the “Sydney Morning Herald.” It is as if the pieces in a great jigsaw puzzle are being tumultuously flung together. Russia, by her invasion of Finland, has provided the vital connecting link in Eastern Europe, and there are indications that, she may be playing a similar role in the Balkans and Asia Minor, and perhaps even in the Far East. The main interest at the moment is the gallant stand of the Finns and the ever-widening repercussions of that stand.

Earlier in the month, it appeared as if the Russians might be content with a sharp military demonstration against Finland, and might then support the puppet Kussinen Government at Terijoki by political methods. If any such intention was ever held it was put out of court by the determined resistance of the Finns and by the world-wide manifestations of sympathy for them. Resistance of the Firms, The Russian military advance has been surprisingly slow, far more so than climatic conditions would necessitate. For some reason, Stalin's generals have neglected aerial bombing since the first few days, and have emphasised the attack on land. The “steam-roller” idea dies hard In Russian minds. Considering the disparity in numbers and armaments, the results so far attained can scarceely be interpreted as a Russian triumph, even in a Finnish winter. ' The effectiveness of Finnish resistance so far is undoubtedly one reason for the prolonged anti-Russian demonstrations in foreign countries. The rally to Finland has been specially marked in Sweden and in Italy. The Swedes have mobilised 140,000 men, strengthened their coastal defences, mined the waters near the Aalands, and made preparation for the evacuation of Stockholm; while the Italians, in addition to mass demonstrations and a concerted Press campaign, have sent aeroplanes and volunteers to Finland.

Over everything is the threat of the merging of the two European wars through joint Russo-German action. Even if this does not develop, there is still the possibility of parallel action between the two Powers. Parallel Action With Nazis.

The natural sphere for such action would be the Balkans, for Germany wants a drive to the Black Sea, and Russia has claims over the povertystricken province of Bessarabia. The latest word on the subject was given by a Rumanian Government spokesman, when he said that, while the Bucharest Government did not think any immediate threat existed, it would "fight if attacked. Shadows Over Asia Minor.

There are also “dark war clouds" hanging over Asia Minor, to use a phrase from Hitler’s own party paper, pointing to military movements from Egypt to Turkestan. Indeed, we may have to face a sudden thrust from Hungary to Afghanistan, a possibility that would impel most European States to take sides in the conflict.

The implications of Russia’s crudely opportunist Imperialism do not end even here.

Reports of a possible rapprochement between Russia and Japan have been numerous, despite a categorical denial that Japan wanted only a settlement of outstanding differences, with Russia. One cannot but admit that the possibilities of a Russo-Japanese pact, at the expense of China, have increased. In State of Flux. The United States has shown no disposition to believe that the Western European war must of necessity allow Japan to proceed with her Asiatic ambitions unhampered. Further, the strong anti-Russian feeling, occasioned by the Finnish, war, might easily be extended to the Far East if Japan and Russia show signs of jointly “reconstructing Asiatic life.” In short, the Russian action in Finland had placed the whole world in a state of flux; and any local event, whether in Bessarabia or the Caucasus, may have the effect of precipitating a final alignment of Powers on a scale which we cannot realise at the moment.