THE WAR NEWS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 60, Issue 4233, 19 January 1940, Page 5

THE WAR NEWS

SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION EXTREME COLD EXPERIENCED Said to be the coldest and most severe winter experienced in threequarters of a century, the leather is hampering operations on all fronts in Europe, and practically there is a stalemate. In Finland the temperature fell to 86 degrees below freezing point; all the northern countries report almost as severe figures. ’Reports from Denmark indicate that the Skaggerak and Sound areas are heavily ice-bound, and ice-break-ers are trying desperately to keep open lanes for sea-borne traffic. The Danube—the great waterwaythrough central Europe—-is frozen over, more than a thousand vessels are unable to move. In Finland the Russians have been bombarding the right wing of the Mannerheim Line, not far from Leningrad; (but here, as elsewhere, the Finns are holding their own. If the weather does not improve within the next few days there will be terrible losses and privations among the combatants, especially the Soviet forces, who are said to be ill-clad and provisioned. Air operations have completely ceased, and this has given the Finns invaluable respite. The opinion is growing in England that Germany’s display of preparations for the invasion of the Low Countries was staged to terrorise the small neutrals—the Oslo Power group. Since war l broke out these nations have been too independent for Hitler’s liking. On a number of

occasions he and his henchmen have railed against their attitude, without result. And now, for the second time, intimidation has also failed. Military spokesmen point out that no single incident is wholly accountable for the frontier tension of the past few days. It was caused seemingly by the tenor of reports obtained by Holland and Belgium, together with the German concentrations of troops in the frontier districts. These latter activities have yet to be explained away; indeed, the situation is such that the fears of invasion ma” have been premature /tut not unfounded.

According to an interview’ published in the Brussels “Soir,” Lord Gort has stated that if Belgium is attacked “the British guarantee will operate with lightning rapidity.” He added that, in contrast with 1914, all was ready. On the British sector in France heavy snow’ and intense cold are making the task of the advance troops exceedingly trying. A particularly close watch is being maintained.

The authorities are still keeping secret the position of the British sector. Those w’ho have followed the news closely, however, should be able by’ now’ to hazard a good guess as to the whereabouts of the B.E.F. and the task it has undertaken. Three British submarines have failed to return to their bases, and are presumed lost. Apparently they had been taking part in operations in Heligoland area where H.M.S. Ursula (a sister ship of one of the missing vessels) recently’ torpedoed and sanls a German cruiser. These enemy w’aters were the scene of intensive British submarine activity' in the Great War—activity of which the w'orld knew' little until hostilities ended.

The eagerly-aw’aited statements in the House of Commons on the British Cabinet changes have been delivered. They reveal little. Mr Hore-Belisha’s remarks suggest that his campaign to “democratise” the Army’ led to disagreement; on the other hand, Mr Chamberlain stated clearly that he had received no complaint or pressure from the Army Command concerning the Secretary for War. In every’ speech made in the House emphasis was laid on the point that the personal aspect of the changes was a minor one. What mattered w’as that the war should be prosecuted in the most vigorous and efficient manner possible. Comment from Washington suggests that the United States will accept Britain’s attitude in respect of the wesero Atlantic neutrality’ zone. Briefly' put, this is that the zone will be Recognised by Britain if and w’hen the security scheme devised by the nations of the Americans is put into efficient operation. The economic warfare has so far been distinctly advantageous to the Allies, and references ni the House of Commons show that the blockade has become increasinglv successful. Reuorts from United States, Australia and France indicate that sabotaging efforts have been made to hamper production of w'ar material, and the latest messages show that an attempt was made recently to wreck a machine at the Colonial Sugar Company’s extensive works near Sydney.