Baltic Manoeuvres

Southland Times, Issue 23949, 16 October 1939, Page 6

Baltic Manoeuvres

TN recent messages from Moscow 1 a correspondent of The New York Times has referred to the tactics of Nazi propagandists who are seeking to exploit the tension that now exists between Russia and Finland. It is believed that “premature” (not “false”) reports of “excessive Russian demands” are being spread, apparently in the hope that Russia will “lose face by moderating whatever demands may be contemplated.” The motive is said to be “to provoke a Russian and Scandinavian conflict and to bring Russia more actively on Germany’s side against the Western Powers.” These explanations are sufficiently involved to suggest that the Moscow censorship, hitherto strangely dormant, is showing renewed signs of life. It may be quite true that the Nazis are anxious to exploit the Baltic situation, although at the present time —with their strategic difficulties becoming daily more obvious in the west — they are much more likely to seek the aid of the Scandinavian, Governments in the peace offensive than to encourage an extension of the war which would mean new troubles for themselves as well as for the Allies. But the point which should be kept firmly in mind amid all these manoeuvres and allegations is that the initiative in the Baltic has been taken by the Soviet leaders. Whatever the Nazis may be doing to intensify the situation, it is the Kremlin that has provided therp with the opportunity and that continues to advance to new positions with a complete disregard for international law. The Government that condemned the use of aggression by Germany has secured concessions from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, in every case with threats of military action if the wishes of the Kremlin were resisted. It has now been carrying on “negotiations” with Finland, accompanied by such plain evidence of aggressive intention that counsel of moderation has been urged by the President of the United States and by representatives of the three Scandinavian Governments. If a Soviet threat to the independence of the northern Powers becomes unmistakable there will be no need to look further than the Kremlin for the springs of action. No great difference can be detected between Soviet and Nazi

propaganda. Events are teaching that the two regimes are also alike in their methods of aggrandizement. The Nazis will certainly make the best use they can of i troubled waters in the Baltic; but it would be unwise to forget that the situation is controlled from Moscow. There need be no tension if Stalin is willing to respect the national integrity of Finland.