1940-01-13 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, JANUARY 13, 1940

Hitler Bid For Peace Between Finland And Soviet

HINT

OF

OF MEDIATION

OFFER

BY THE REICH

Amsterdam, To-day.

SOVIET

HITLER, ACCORDING to latest indications, is keen- TRANSPORT

er than ever to see the end of the Finnish war.

His main reasons seem to be fear that help to Fin- TROUBLES

land may develop into extension of the war in Western Europe and suspicion that Russia's Fin- nish adventure is seriously hampering the Ger- man-Russian trade negotiations.

The "Koelnische Zeitung" yester- day published a despatch from Stock* holm dealing with the

subject

of

mediation and peace in Finland.

The report says: "In Denmark and Sweden, and even in Finland, pointing sponsible circles are

out with renewed urgency that now is the right moment-a moment that the Finnish-Russian negotiations, possibly under mediation by a neighbouring power."

may never

recur-to resume

what

There is no mention of attitude Russia is likely to take, but such a statement, appearing Nazl in the strictly controlled

press, clearly reflects Germany's desire for peace In Finland.

It also confirms rumours that Hit- ler may openly propose himself as mediator between Finland and Rus- sia.-Reuter.

D. O. (SOUTH)

His Excellency the Governor has appointed Mr. George Stacy Kennedy

as District Officer in Skipton to act

New the Southern District of the

other Territories in addition to his duties, with effect from 12th January, 1940,

OSLO

FINNISH AIR RAID CASUALTIES

London, To-day.

The Finnish Legation in Lon- don announce-that Finnish cas ualties in Russian air raids from

the beginning of the war to Jan- uary 9 tofal 234 killed. 269 sar- lously injured and 210 slightly Injured.

The Legation states that the Finnish A.R.P. measures are proving very effective-Reuter.

that the Soviet troops cut to pieces in the Suomussalmi sector were part of the Ogpu (secret police) forces, Helsinki, To-day.

which are, 80 impressive at Moscow Russia is experiencing seri- military reviews. ous transport difficulties, judging from statements made by Russian prisoners.

Supplies, both for the front and Leningrad, are being held up.

During the past two weeks there have been 10 railway accidents be- tween Leningrad and the Karelian Isthmus, it is reported.

Only three of the many lines to Leningrad - arn. belleved cap- able of being used. Finnish military circles

Gulf of

Bothnia

They were particularly well equip. ped and had a better knowledge of the ground than the troops previous- ly employed.-Reuter.

His Excellency the Governor has Brian appointed Second Lieutenant Alfred Fargus, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment), Alde-de-Camp, to be his Honorary believe with effect from 10th January, 1940.

FINLAND

Finnish Mannerheim

Line

of F

1201

Ladoga

HITLER BETWEEN

TWO

STOOLS

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

London, To-day.

The Daily express Amsterdam correspon- dent states that Hitler has offered his mediation in the Russo-Finnish con- flict and encouraged M. Stalin to offer peace terms to Finland.

The Kremlin is alleged to have ac- cepted Hitler's offer and has consent- ed to negotiate and eventually call off Its invasion of Finland provided the latter grants the Soviet naval bases in the Baltic, the use of the port of Pet- samo and adjustment of the Russo- Finnish border.

THREE REASONS Hitler's offer is due to three reasons: Firstly, the fear that the Allies, may land troops in Scandinavia, if the Finnish war drags on;

Secondly, the Reich's desire to keep the goodwill of both Signor Mussolini and M. Stalin, which is dificultat present, since Italy openly siding with Finland, and

Thirdly, the cessation of would release for Germany raw materials which the for her own use

wn

campaign is going on."Ha

Little Belt Narrow

shallow

Skagerrak

DENAMARK

SYLT

Heligolanc

Great Belt Southern exit heavily mined by Germans

German Mine [Fields;

Hanbury

THE BOTTLE-NECK

OF THE BALTIC

The Sound

Only 24

Imiles wide

NHẠC N

CKHOLM

Hango

Miles....

DAGOL

SEA

Died Natal

Base.

H!

Wirday

making based

Winter

Libau

IRON ORE

BALTIC:

Memel

New ice fray.

ports for*

RUSSI

The Sound is the shortest way and It is the most frequently used trade route, and nearly as much tonnage passes through there as through the Suez or Panama. Regard the Sound, | then, as the Suez of the North.

RUSSIA

60

100

Miles

That "pact" rid Stalin of the night- mare of the Soviet Fleet one day be- ing bottled up in the Gulf of Finland, for naval and air bases on the Estonia coast give the Russians command of the northern. Baltic.

At the same time, the pact' gave him the island of Oesel, putting an- other small country, Latvia, at his mercy, for it commands the entrance to the Gulf of Riga.

on

The strategic waterway of the mo- ment is the small bottle-neck that

However, the Sound is shallow, and, all very leads into the Baltic Sea. For around that sea are rich economic prizes: in consequence, barred to Finland with its vast forests, cellulose large ships. Therefore, the only way and paper indurrles, Sweden with by which we could take a fleet, in- its iron ore (for Nazi guns,) and Den- cluding battleships, into the Baltic is

So he began to put the screw mark with its agricultural products, through the Great Belt. But the Great

Latvia, forbed another "pact" by which to name only three of the eight coun-Belt is controlled by Denmark. tries whose shores are washed by the So it's no easy task forcing the Bal- Latvia had to lease. him the port of tic, though you may recall that in the Libau. He intends to fortify it and Baltic.

How to get into the Baltic from the last war Admiral "Jackie" Fisher be- let it take the place of Kronstadt, the naval base outside North Sea? There are four channels: lieved it could be done, and consider-present Soviet the Kiel Canal, which belongs to Gered it a better proposition than Galli- | Leningrad.

he quarrelled with That will relieve Stalin of a lot of many; the Great and Little Belts, un poli. Indeed,

worry too, tdi Leningrad is ice-bound der Daniah sovereignty; The Sound, Winston Churchill on that issue.

while controlled jointly by Denmark-and · Until recently; Nazl Germany was for five months in the "y

ice tree in the win the overlord of this inland sen by vir- | Libaŭ la general Sweden.

tue of her size, her trade, and, her navy, and com-17 Then Stalin stretched Bevernlso as an overlord in

the he forced

́ ́ You can ignore the Little Belt, sincs it is hardly more than a 'river, |ly as it is

pleted. In 1935.

ished to fore

the Cirent Bo

brida

opening ph dulu. „mastery of