SWEDEN NEXT?

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24282, 26 April 1940, Page 7

SWEDEN NEXT?

NAZI TROOPS TRANSPORTS DEPART NEUTRALITY VIOLATIONS OMINOUS ACTIVITY (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) - LONDON, Apl. 24. (Received Apl. 25. at 10 p.m.) Reports from various European sources indicate that there has been a concentration of German troops along the Baltic coast.. It is stated that transport have been equipped at Danzig. Memel and other ports and that several of these ships have put to sea during the last few days. It is reported that ice-breakers are included among the ships, although there is no ice left in the South Baltic. There is. however, still ice in the northern section, the Gulf of Bothnia, and this directs attention to the Aaland Islands which are strongly garrisoned by Finns. It is from this region also that there have been repeated reports of the violation of Swedish neutrality by German planes. The Daily Telegraph’s Paris correspondent says; “ German concentrations at Baltic ports and aerial activity over Sweden are .producing sombre forecasts of Sweden’s destiny. Troops are reported to be concentrated st Bornholm, Memel. Konigsberg. Danzig, and Stettin, from which transports laden with German detachments have sailed during the last .few days. Nothing has since been heard of them, but the presence of ice-breakers leads to the assumption that one of the German objectives may be the Aaland Islands. Forty German Dianes are seen over Sweden every day. The Germans claim that this is accidental. Five German mine-sweepers entered Swedish territorial waters in the Skagerrak, but left immediately they were intercepted by Swedish patrol boats. Repeated violation of (territory by Nazi planes continues. , Sweden is floating a £30,000,000 defence loan. ...... A German trade delegation has arrived in. Stockholm. The Swedish Parliament has nassed a .compulsory military service law. applying to all citizens between 16 and 60. to operate when necessary.