NORTHERN STATES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 12 January 1940, Page 6

NORTHERN STATES

REFUSING TO TOE HITLER’S LINE NAZIS HAVE FINALLY OVERREACHED THEMSELVES DEMANDS IMPOSSIBLE OF COMPLIANCE (U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] (Received 12th January, 11.33 a.m.) NEW YORK, 11th January. The Copenhagen correspondent of the “New York Times” says: “There is every indication that the Nazis have finally overreached themselves in bullying the Northern States. For the first time since the outbreak of the war th© evergrowing Nazi demands are meeting a fairly unanimous ‘non possumus’ from the Scandinavian Press os Berlin’s queer idea of neutrality is becoming over difficult of compliance. If the Nazis had their way neutrals would not only fight the British contraband control and declare that the Allied cause is not theirs, but they would also quit Geneva and prevent British, French and American arms reaching Finland. “It seems to be finally dawning on the Scandinavians that they are sliding down an over-long slope of concessions, and that all'will perish unless they stand together; even Denmark is refusing to toe Herr Hitler’s line in the RussoFinnish conflict.” OUTSPOKEN REJECTION OF PRESSURE “The most outspoken rejection of the Nazi pressure comes from Norway where even the traditionally pro-Ger-man ‘Aftenpost’ issues a warning that the continued press campaign will harm German interests This unmistakeable stiffening of opinion towards the Nazi threats has already resulted in the noteworthy abatement of the anti-Scan. dinavian press campaign. There is also reason to believe that military and economic leaders have warned Hitler not to invade Sweden. Britain unquestion, ably has the whip hand in the Great Powers’ scramble for the control of Swedish iron ore It was improbable that the Russians would penetrate the Swedish defences and the Germans even if they landed would have to fight the length of the country while the British would be able to send assistance via Narvik. There would also be time for the Swedes to destroy the minefield before the conqueror arrived. LINK IN NERVES-WAR “Thus the only certain result of the Nazi aggression on Sweden would be loss of an indispensable source of raw materials for an economically and militarily hazardous gamble. Therefore the opinion prevails that the Nazi press campaign is rather a link in the gen. eral nerves-war than a preparation for attack.