SWEDEN’S STAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 March 1940, Page 6

SWEDEN’S STAND

BROADCAST BY PRIME MINISTER PROPOSED DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE. CAREFUL EXAMINATION NEEDED] Ry Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Dav, 11.25 p.m.) STOCKHOLM. March 25. M tfansson (Prime Minister) broadcasting, said Sweden told Finland in the middle of October that she could not count on direct Swedish military intervention in the event of war. He denied that Sweden's refusal militarily to aid Finland was accompanied by a threat to forcibly oppose the transit of arms, and troops. Sweden had no reason to utter such threats, because she was certain her reply would be respected. “I can understand countries suffering iindei’ the burden of war not hesitating' to severely judge other people trying to avoid that misfortune," he said, “but nobody knew whether Sweden's entry in the conflict would have prevented the brutal attack against Finland. On the contrary, everything leads up to the belief that an enlargement of the conflict would have struck Finland even more severely. The proposed defensive alliance between Sweden. Norway and Finland must be examined without delay, but thoroughly, because it is more necessary than ever to point out the danger of acting on popular ideas, which don't correspond to the real situation. The question of a defensive alliance is something more important than merely signing a treaty. It concerned the very unity of the north, also the independence of the northern countries themselves, especially regarding foreign policy. It was necessary to end once and for all suggestions that Northern resources could be mobilised for other ends than that of defence against attacks on the north's peace and independence. Only the slogan, ‘peace at homo and for our country' could rally the Nordie peoples, who would deliberate on how to organise for the common protection."

WARSHIPS & ARMS FINNISH ORDERS IN U.S.A. PREPARATIONS TO OPPOSE FURTHER AGGRESSION. (Received This Dav. 12.50 a.m.) WASHINGTON. March 25. Finland has ordered five modern torpedo boats from the United States since she sighed the treaty, and is also buying defensive armaments. She is apparently preparing to oppose possible further Soviet attempts to acquire Finnish territory.