THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 15, 1940
Defensive Alliance In Scandinavia
SOVIET
RAISES
NO OBJECTIONS
Moscow, To-day.
IT IS BELIEVED HERE the Soviet Government has no objections to the conclusion of a purely de- fensive alliance between Sweden, Norway and Finland, but any combination specially direct- ed, against the Soviet would I be regarded as in- consistent with the Soviet-Finnish peace treaty. The willingness of Norway and Sweden to discuss with Finland the possibility of a defensive al- liance was officially revealed yesterday in Oslo and Stockholm.
HITLER'S BOMBAST
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") Berne, To-day.
source
The initiative came from Finland, and the. Finnish Foreign Minister has revealed that Norway and, Sweden were invited to discuss this even be- fore the Finnish delegation left Moscow.
Norway gave her reply two
ago.
for
days
The time and place of the discus- sions has not yet been fixed, but M.
Tanner said that they will start in a few days.
It is expected that they will confer as soon as Finland has withdrawn her troops to the new frontler and signed
A private Berlin quotes Hitler as recently stating in the presence of members of the Nazi party: "It took me 14 years to be- come master of Germany. It won't take me seven years to become master of Europe. only,
"In order to do this I shall pledge not to not use a large-scale offen-against Russia. sive. I shall merely wage a skilful war of nerves and undermine my enemies'
morale." Havas.
TRAWLER FIGHTS OFF HEINKELS
the final peace documents. The alliance will be
so as not
SOVIET TO "LAY OFF" RUMANIA
London To-day. According to reports from Ber- lin quoted by the New York ra. dio, Germany has obtained Soviet assurances that whatever happens in south-east Europe, Rumania will remain 'inviolate.
The reports add that negotia- tions are proceeding for a Soviet- Rumanian pact.—Reuter.
DUTCH OFFICIAL ON TRIAL
The Hague, To-day, Van Hoeven, a high official defensive of the Ministry of Social to break Finland's Affairs, was placed on trial in engage in any
caméra here yesterday on a charge of supplying shipping secrets to Germany.
bloc
Denmark is not expected to have any part in the alliance.
The peace terms have not yet been
His wife and another official named
LORD
HALIFAX'S PROMISE
London, To-day.
A message from the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, to the Czechs was broadcast in the Czech news from Daven- try last night.
The message recalls that on March 15 a year has passed since Hitler occupied Prague, thereby "destroying all, faith in the pledged word of him- self and his government," an act leas which brutal than the rule of terror followed but all attempts have failed to devour the economic and eventual: life of the Czech people.
The message concludes: "It is with a firm resolve to restore your the freedom that
Governmenta and peoples of the British Em- pire have taken to arms with their Allies.
and the
"Their high purpose is to right the wrongs you have suffered create a new Europe in which
made impossible." Reuter.
ratified by the Finnish Parliament, but Buve, of the Ministry of Economics, recurrence of such an event will be
Field-Marshal Mannerheim's accep- tance of the terms will be a powerful factor in persuading the nation also to accept it. His broadcast on Wednes- day has made a deep impression.— Reuter.
To Be Examined
Helsinki, To-day.
are accused of complicity.
It is alleged that Buve procured the documents which form the basis of the case.
The Minister of Justice has forbid- den publication of the proceedings in Holland, but it is known that the Public Prosecutor has demanded sen- tence of two years' imprisonment for Buve and one year for Mrs. van
The captain of a fish- It is announced it has now been Hoeven. Reuter.
agreed by the Finnish, Swedish and Governments that the question of the possibility of a de-
Norwegian
ing trawler which has re- turned to port reports tensive alliance, to assure the boun- fighting off three Hein-daries and independence of the three
kel bombers successfully.
The trawler was first attacked by
a lone. Nazi bomber, and when it came over the first time, the captain found his gun jammed!
He freed it, however, and when the 'plane came over for the se- cond time, loosed off 80 rounds at its nose; it loft. Soon
Heinkel afterwards, three bombers attacked the trawler, bomb- ing and machine-gunning it for over an hour. The captain replied with the defence gun until his ammunition ran out,
The Heinkels did not score a single hit and no one was injured.
countries, shall be examined.-Reuter.
OPPOSITION
IN BALTIC
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL”)
Paris, To-day. Commenting on the Soviet- Finnish peace, informed quarters here say that one
When the 'planes had gone, the thing is clear; Germany
trawler 'went on fishing. Reuter.
HALF A MILLION TURNED OUT
M
and Russia are more than ever in opposition in the Baltic.
When the Soviet-German pact of August, 1939, was concluded, the possibility of an invasion of Finland was not considered. Germany asked It is estimated that 500,000 people for a free hand in Western Poland and will be turned out of their homes as was willing to give Russia a free hand
Helsinki, To-day!
a result of the Russo-Finnish treaty:
in Eastern Poland and the construc- There are only 100,000 civilians tion of a Russian base in the Baltic, at present in the affected areas as But now Russia has a strong base the others had been evacuated. at Hangoe, and in the Baltic she has
First convoy of inhabitants return-only one rival --- Germany, Russia is ing to Viborg to collect their belong-undisputed master of the Baltic. ings left Helsinki yesterday in special The hypothesis of a Russo-German trains and cars provided by the Gov-war is the only one which explains.
Stalin's policy in the Baltic Havas. ernment.Reuter,
ON WESTERN FRONT Parls, To-day,
communique Last night's French said there was local activity of ad- vanced parties, especially west of the Vosges. Reuter.
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