Finnish Resistance An Aid To Allies

Northern Advocate, 17 February 1940, Page 8

Finnish Resistance An Aid To Allies

Behind The Headlines

The longer the Finnish-Soviet war continues, the more it is apparent that it is proving an immeasurable aid to the Allies, as well as affording them valuable object lessons in the art of modern warfare.

The typical Russian tactics employed more or less successfully in the past have been applied unavailingly in this conflict, and the costly, unsuccessful efforts of the Soviet areinterlocking themselves with the whole war situation. As the weeks pass, it is becoming more and more clear just how well the Finnish resistance is planned, how effective it has proved, and how it is aiding the Allied cause. German Hopes Quashed

Encountering a stubborn resistance that has aroused the admiration of the whole world—except that of Russia and Germany, of course—the Russians have not been able to fulfil the hopes held by Germany of combating the Allied blockade by means of supplies gained from the latest of her confreres. In having to wage a war of unexpected duration against Finlnad, Russia has been forced to divert much other rolling stock, and in the air is burning so much petrol that Germany

must be finding it more and more difficult to secure supplies of that much-needed commodity from the expected source. The unlooked-for magnitude of the Finnish war has also caused something of an upheaval in Soviet internal organisation, and all resources have had to be brought to bear in endeavouring to achieve her own objective instead of supplying goods which would aid the Germans in withstanding the Allied blockade. Soviet-German Alliance The uniting of the Soviet and Nazi dictators after the bitter denunciation of Soviet aspirations and policy by the Germans, caused world surprise, but that diplomatic success has been largely broken by the failure of Russia to prosecute successfully her own war aims, resulting in l'ailuie to satisfy Nazi expectations. Emphasis of the effect on Germany of the Finnish-Soviet struggle is given by the agreement announced this week between Russia and Germany, and the fortifications which have been undertaken for the protection of transport and supplies between the two countries. Factories are to be erected in Russia by the Germans, while Russia will reciprocate by supplying raw materials to the Nazis. This firming of Soviet-German collaboration might be taken as a cause for concern, and, as far as the Balkans are concerned, it undoubtedly is. Transport Difficulties Nevertheless it is noteworthy that neutral observers consider that transport difficulties will constitute a great obstacle to the fulfilment of the agreement. As pointed out in these columns recently, the Nazis have allowed their railways to deteriorate to a remarkable extent, and now,, with Allied pressure beginning to be felt, they are being forced to carry out improvements and increase the depleted rolling stock in the hope of securing additional supplies. As far as the Allies and Finland are concerned, the agreement does not seem to carry a heavy threat, for Russia is fully occupied against Finland,

and as long as the Finns can keep up their resistance it is not likely Stalin will be able to turn his attention to the Balkans. Finnish Tactics.

Militarily the Finns have given the world an object lesson by making little or no resistance on the frontier and allowing the Russians to penetrate to various distances before using small mobile forces to cut lines of communication.

Russia blundered in endeavouring to carry out an invasion at points which

had no military significance, and the spreading of forces has allowed the Finns to assume the advantage which was Russia's at the Start.

Not only has the gallant stand by the Finns gained them moral support. It is freely acknowledged that Finland cannot keep Russia at bay indefinitely, and recognition of the need for active assistance is being given by the Allies and by neutral countries in pouring in supplies to the little country which is making such a wonderful fight for its independence.