ALLIED AID FOR FINLAND

Southland Times, Issue 24011, 29 December 1939, Page 5

ALLIED AID FOR FINLAND

HELP IN STRUGGLE AGAINST NAZIS

POSSIBLE GUARANTEE TO SWEDEN BLOW TO INTRIGUERS IN BERLIN (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 28, 10.10 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 28. The Allies are expected to exploit the advantageous situation that the Finns’ resistance has created, says “Augur,” a correspondent of TJie New York Times in London. With the Russians unable to disengage the Finnish trap, Germany must.surrender hope of succour' from Moscow. If the Russians can be kept occupied in the Arctic, it will be equivalent to an extension of the Allied blockade of Germany’s east front. British and French aid to Finland is now a reality and doubtless the Russians will soon experience the fighting qualities of Allied aeroplanes. It is certain that their aid will assume impressive proportions, but first it will be necessary to clarify Sweden’s position. The Swedes are officially insisting on neutrality, but are really greatly aiding the Finns. Nevertheless, their official neutrality hampers the development of aid to Finland. For example, it will be impossible to send aeroplanes by air, because British pilots would be interned in Sweden.

“Augur” says that Sweden fears German intervention if she openly sides with Finland. Therefore, logically the moment has come for Britain and France to guarantee effective aid to Sweden in the event of a German attack. Diplomatic circles believe that a guarantee may be expected in the near future. Naturally, it implies a guarantee to Norway. Thus the Finns’ resistance is practically drawing the whole of Scandinavia into a combination primarily directed against Russia, but really

antagonistic to Germany. The Finns’ resistance is also defeating the intriguers in Berlin and their sympathizers in Allied countries who favour a swift settlement of the war by an agreement with Herr Hitler creating a united anti-Bolshevist front that is based on the assumption of the formidable power of the Russian Army, which the Finns are disproving.

NORWEGIAN POLICY DEFENDED “DEFENCE SYSTEM BASED ON NEUTRALITY”

(Received December 28, 6.30 p.m.) OSLO, December 28.

The Norwegian Foreign Minister (Dr Koht), broadcasting, defended Norway’s policy of non-intervention in the Soviet-Finnish conflict.

Dr Koht emphasized that Norway was unable to pursue the other course because her whole defence system was based on neutrality and adventures might "be fatal to her. UNITY OF BRITISH NATIONS SPECIAL AIR EFFORT OF DOMINIONS RUGBY, December 27. The Times in an editorial commenting on the arrival yesterday of the first unit of the Australian forces, points out that this, following so soon upon the arrival of the Canadian contingent, yet further underlines the unity of the British family of nations. The editorial, says that those in Germany not completely hypnotised by Dr. Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda, will see this as a writing on the wall, and an exposure of two false assumptions on which Germany began the war—(l) That the Western democracies were too decadent to defend themselves; (2) That the British Empire, which was in an advanced state of disintegration, would fall to pieces in face of a demand for common sacrifice. The Times further comments that the Dominions while taking their share of the burden on land and sea, have clearly visualized the special aid which they can give in the air, and it seems likely that in this war the air forces will be to the Dominions what the Army is to France and the Navy to Britain.