1941-06-27 — Page 19

THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 27, 1941.

BRITAIN STUDYING POSITION OF SWEDEN AND FINLAND

A STATEMENT by the Finnish Govern- ment, handed in by the Finnish Minister on Wednesday night and stating that the 'Finns were now defending themselves against the Russians, is being carefully considered by the British Government and the whole position regarding Finland is now receiving urgent consideration, Reuter's diplomatic correspon- dent learns.

Another matter which is receiving urgent consideration is the official statement by the Swedish Government that they are allowing German troops to pass through their country into Finland.

Regarding Finland, it will be means in her power."-Interna- recalled that when the Germans tional News Service. launched their attack on Russia:

they asserted in an official state- ment that the Finnish army was marching at their side.

This was an endeavour by the Germana to present the world with a fact that was not a fact and to force the Finnish hand by stating that Finnish belliger ency was a fait accompli This attempt was not altogether successful as was shown at the time by official statements by the Finns that they were determined to preserve their neutrality.

Russia's Position

Nevertheless the fact remains

GERMAN

PLANS IN

FINLAND

Since the beginning of

that the Germans had established the Russo-German themselves in considerable num-

war

bers on Finnish soil and the Ger- the main forces of the mans thus placed themselves in a Finnish

army,

position gravely to compromise Field-Marshal

Finnish neutrality.

under

CHIEF STUMBLING BLOCK GONE

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA ·MAIL")

While the war in the Western Desert sim- mered without de- finite action in oven- like heat, Cairo quar- ters hail the cop- ture of Merdi Ayoum, as the remov- al of an important stumbling block in the British campaign Syria.

in

The mountain for- tress fell to the Allies a second time after a furious 24-hour as- sault. Internation- al News Service.

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