I PRESTIGE ISSUE

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21654, 14 February 1942, Page 7

I PRESTIGE ISSUE

STRUGGLE FOR LENINGRAD ATTEMPT TO SMASH RING NAZIS ADMIT BREACHES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 12 Fighting in the Leningrad region has been intensified. The Russians, according to the German radio, bringing up strong forces, launched 14 heavy attacks in the past two days along the line from Kolpino to Krasny. The Germans claimed to have repulsed all attacks, but the Russians, in spite of reverses, are preparing nev/ attacks. Leningrad radio also describes the heavy fighting, stating that the Russians in local actions in the past two days killed 900 Germans and in one day’s fighting destroyed 19 fortifications, over 30 pillboxes, field-gun emplacements and machine-gun nests. The Russians so far have not officially claimed that the ring around Leningrad has definitely been broken, but the Germans admit the Russians have driven several wedges in the besiegers’ lines. Supreme Effort

The relief of Leningrad indeed seems to have become a major prestige issue for both sides. A German spokesman said the Russians apparently intend to make a supreme effort to drive the Germans from Leningrad, but the beleaguring chain will be held at all costs.

The Times Stockholm correspondent says that the Germans obviously realise the stimulating effect the raising of the siege of .Leningrad would have on the Russians and how it would depress the Axis, especially the Finns. The German press reports that Russian pressure is heavy right down to Lake Ilmen, on a front of about 125 miles.

The latest Moscow communique reports further Russian local successes in the Smolensk district. In the north-east of this area the Russians have recaptured several more towns and villages. In one engagement the Germans lost over 1000 officers and men.

ENEMY SPY SYSTEM

GERMANS AND JAPANESE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Gaoyrig-ht) LONDON, February 12 The arrest of the world-famous German entomologist, Colonel Brandt, and the German botanist, Odererfer, on the frontier of India and Afghanistan while disguised as tribesmen and carrying many tommy guns, has revealed the extent of the system Germany had built up for the purpose of maintaining communications with Japan. Admiral Canaris, the chief of the German Secret Service, spent years working out a plan whereby the Germans were able to exchange information with the Japanese in the event of war. The organisation’s starting point was Athens, ending at advanced Japanese positions in Burma and North Indo-China. Die Zeitung reveals that the organisation’s channels became necessary after the collapse of diplomatic relations with Brazil, which entailed the suspension of the Italian-South American air service and severing the last communication between the Germans and the nations outside Europe, except by radio, which can be intercepted. Admiral Canaris’ strategy consisted of relays of numerous caravans, equipped with receiving and transmitting sets, moving about the SyrianArabic deserts and East Iran, Afghanistan and the Tibetan mountains. The caravans’ transmissions were too weak to enable interception. The arrest of Brandt and Odererfer showed how far the plan had already been carried out.

Both these' men spent years in Iran and got out just before British and Russian troops entered. They had been successfull in stirring up trouble among Iran tribesmen and also by actively agitating among Indian and Afghan tribesmen.

NEUTRALS’ CONTACT

MOVEMENT IN EUROPE SPAIN AND PORTUGAL MOVE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) MADRID, Feb. 12 Following the meeting at Seville of General Franco and Dr. Salazar, it was officially announced that both Spain and Portugal will in future maintain the closest contact in order to safeguard their common interests. A high official in the Portuguese Foreign Office stated that General Franco and Dr. Salazar’s meeting not only concerned general co-operation, but aimed at the establishment of a bloc of the remaining European neutrals, including Sweden. Certain neutral Governments had already exchanged ideas upon the subject, but Sweden so far had not participated. The Paris radio asserts that the meeting was designed to discuss measures to counteract the effects of the recent Pan-American conference at Rio de Janeiro.