SWEDES MAY GIVE AID

Southland Times, Issue 23992, 6 December 1939, Page 5

SWEDES MAY GIVE AID

FORECAST MADE IN STOCKHOLM

RECONSTITUTION OF CABINET EXPECTED

AMERICAN ACTION NOT LIKELY

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. December 5, 7.45 p.m.) STOCKHOLM, December 4. A Cabinet reconstitution by a coalition is expected in a few days, but many forecast that the Government will not survive a month and will be forced out by an organized movement in which leaders of all sections will co-operate in favour of supporting Finland. Then a new Government pledged to aid Finland will assume the reins. Seventy per cent, of Sweden’s population favours active intervention.

Plans have been completed to evacuate Stockholm if necessary. Senator A. H. Vandenberg, a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, urges the withdrawal of the American Ambassador from Moscow, states a message from Washington. He describes the 1938 recognition of Russia as a blunder which is

growing worse each year and urges an official inquiry to determine whether the Russian pledges to the United States have not been travestied and whether United States recognition should not be permanently withdrawn. Meanwhile the Secretary to the Treasury (Mr Henry Morgenthau) admits studying the Finnish debt question, but he declines to comment on the reports of the likelihood of a moratorium offer.

A rupture of Russian-American relations or the recall of the Ambassador appears unlikely at present in the view of authoritative quarters. The Administration feels that it would be of advantage neither to the United States nor to world peace. Pressure in favour of a break is increasingly partisan. The Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) at a Press conference said that the question of extending the Neutrality Act combat area to include Russia had not been considered. The only further step likely is a simultaneous Pan-American condemnation of the invasion. This is despite a concerted drive by the Republicans, who are making Russian-American relations a political issue, inferring that the recognition of Russia by the President (Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt) is partly responsible for the invasion. A thousand Italian students again demonstrated before the Finnish Legation in Rome shouting anti-Soviet slogans. They cheered the Finnish Minister, who three times appeared on the balcony. The students then marched to the Soviet Embassy, where they were dispersed by a strong detachment oi police.

All the South American League members are sending a message to the League of Nations. Non-members are expected to join the condemnation.

AALAND ISLANDS TO BE FORTIFIED FINLAND ADVISES LEAGUE OF NATIONS LONDON, December 4. The Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press states that Finland has advised the League of Nations that she is fortifying the Aaland Islands. Sweden and Finland asked the League’s approval of this step last May. Russia objected and the League did nothing. The Finnish spokesman points out that the Aaland Islands are one of Finland’s most vulnerable points and any power seizing them could close the Gulf of Bothnia, enabling Finnish cities to be bombed and isolating the country from the world. CHILDREN IN SAFE AREAS VISITED SPECIAL TRAINS LEAVE LONDON (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, December 4. “Reunion Day” passed off happily and successfully when 5000 parents and friends visited children in safe areas. Many special trains left London, taking visitors to towns in reception areas, ar.d queues for trains formed as early as. 7 o’clock. At all stations within the areas, groups of happy children expectantly awaited the train. For many it was their first meeting with their parents since the outbreak of war and parties reminiscent of Christmas were held. CONCENTRATED BLOOD SUPPLIES (British Official Wireless) (Received December 5, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, December 4. The Canadian Army will be equipped with concentrated blood supplies. Toronto research chemists have developed a means of concentrating blood in a form to keep indefinitely, having the properties of whole blood, except red corpuscles. It is useless for anaemia, but valuable for shock. The serum can be prepared in Canada. The public will be asked to give blood.