FROM MOSCOW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24630, 11 June 1941, Page 5

FROM MOSCOW

BRITISH AMBASSADOR ARRIVAL AT STOCKHOLM SPECULATION OVER PLANS LONDON, June 9. The summoning to London of Sir Stafford Cripps (Ambassador to Moscow) is exciting much speculation, and a further " mystery element" was introduced to-day into the Ambassador's plans by a report from Stockholm that Sir Stafford Cripps was waiting there for orders whether to continue to London or return to Moscow. The Stockholm paper Social Demokraten declares that Russian-German negotiations " tripped up" Sir Stafford's mission, and are linked up with this breakdown.

The Stockholm correspondent of the Daily Mail says the question arises: Has London something better to offer to Moscow than Berlin? At. the moment Moscow's policy apparently is to grant the utmost collaboration with Germany without endangering her British and American relations. The Germans are professing disinterest in Sir Stafford Cripps's plans, but, nevertheless, are asking how he proposes to reach London from Stockholm across occupied Norway. This illustrates that Scandinavia is not as perfectly blockaded as the Germans would like the world to believe. Importance of Soviet's Role

Interviewed on his return to New York from Europe, Mr J. Cudahy, a former Ambassador, said that the role of the Soviet was more important than most people realised. The German people were apathetic and not elated over victories, but they greatly dreaded losing the war; therefore, were very determined to win. They were also very united. < Mr Cudahy expressed the opinion that, if the war was not finished by October, it would last'3o years.