1939-09-28 — Page 24

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Threat To Rumania

THE Russian threat to Rumans is

to the of more consequence Allies than the possibility of an in-

Estonia

vasion

of

or any

olher

Baltic Slate. Rumania is one of the four countries whose territorial in tegrily was guaranteed by Britain

und France.

The background for the somewhat critical events that are now occurring in and around Rumania is mainly that country's phenomenal aggrandi- as it emerged from the Great War and

sement. "Greater Rumanla“,

States

Stand

THE BALTIC STATES

are jittery..

There have been all sorts of rumours this week of impending Soviet mili- tary action, of ultimatums

other islands in the Gulf are also fortified, notably Sveaborg, "Key to Helsingfors", where the old Russian fortifications are extremely massive and strong.

the Opposite Makellot, on Estonian side, are complemen- tary fortifications on the islande of Aegna and Margo, between which the shipping channel passes to Tallinn,

Aircraft aro forbidden to fly over these islands, but I under- stand from enquiries on the apot that both of these islands have

with the fortifications on tho Finnish side they could effective-

also 12 guns mounted and that

by

and demands, an dof con- H. GREGSON centrations of troops.

Russin has long had her eyes on the small Baltic States.

Not that they are rich, or that they themselves constitute a threat to Bolshevism.

ly close the entrance to the Gulf of Finland for any aggressor.

Until the Aland Islands are

But, to Russia, they are of the put in a state of defence where greatest strategic importance. they could resist capture by a Russia's frontiers are vulnerable major Power, it is perhaps over optimistic to talk of Finland's mainly from this quarter,

That is why, in the negotia- power to resist an expedition tions with Britain before the penetrating the Gulf of Bothnia, Finland, however, relies above signing of the Russo-German all on her miles of marsh and Non-Aggression Pact, Russia sought British guarantees for forest, which would render ad- vance by mechanised force im- the Baltic States.

Russin fears that Germany possible at most seasons and on the excellent fighting qualities might one day use the territory of her troops, who have been of Finland, Estonia or Latvia as called, owing to their stubborn- abase of operations against

nese, the "Serbs of the North". her.

Her armed forces have a peace time strength of 32,000 of the Gulf of Finland, is in a officers and men, but these position to render the passage of could be considerably increased the Russian Fleet into the Baltic in time of war and there are in very precarious. It is not more addition 160,000 men and women enrolled in the so-called than one hour's steaming from

side of the Gulf to the Civil Guards. one other.

Finland, through her control!

.

Russia's vital single track

fortunately placed than railway from Leningrad to ESTONIA and Latvia are less only permanently ice-free port, Finland, as regards natural and Murmansk, runs almost parallel other defences, to resist an ag- with the Russo-Finnish frontier,gressor.

"What's this hear about you offering to give that blondo across the hall a screen test?"

AN UNRECORDED INCIDENT OF

THE GREAT WAR

LAST WEEK you read in the "Telegraph" how a Grimsby

trawler rammed and sank a U-Boat.

Here is an episode of the last, war, in which a small trawler played a heroic role. If the submarine did escape on that occasion, it was certainly not the fault of Skipper Wright and his gallant crow!

By G. F. GILBERT-

OT ALL the heroic deeds | and try to escape while the go- NOT

performed by British ing was good. But did they? fishermen during encoun-

ters with enemy submarines in the Great War have found their way into the official histories of that con- fliet.

The White Sea Canal, which Estonia could put 90,000 men would enable Russia in time of in the field and has an air force need to transfer her Fleet from of some 70 'planes. Latvia has the Baltic to the North Sea, via about 25,000 officers and men, a the White Sea, is within easy small Fleet, and trained volun- reach of 'planes operating from teers which would bring her the Versailles Pence Treaty, is more | Finland.

effective fighting forces up to than twice as large and populous at Further, seizure of the Aland 100,000. the Rumania of carly 1914, and the Islands by a Power hostile to Estonia and Latvia, however, problems But are confronting Russia would not only enable have a military alliance, and the lo-day are commensurate with its

the Russian Fleet to be bottled Estonian Commander, General Such a one I am now going to rank 19 onc of the middle-sized

up in its harbours but would en Laidoner, is one of the greatest relate or rather I will allow the states of Europe and its very

able the use of the Great Arctic military leaders of Europe. chief actor in that dramatic checker- strategic position on the

Highway, an excellent motor Both countries have extensive board of European diplomacy.

road, running from Tornea in defence works along their fron the north of the Gulf of tiers with Russia, and their ter- existed for the past twenty years the Bothnia to Petsamo, near Mur-ritory, although flat, is densely problem of assimilution of non-mansk, for military operations forested in parts, and admirably Rumanian populations. Runnanian against this vital Soviet-Naval suited to, cavalry, which is a

of specialised branch territorial expansion, was effected at Base,

An aggressor, serking to use armies, the expense of enemy countries- Austria, Hungary and Bulgaria-and of a former ally, Russla, from which operations against Russia, would broad-shouldered Estonian and Lat- it took Bessarabla. Hence, Rumania doubtless seize the Aland Islands via soldiers, looking very business- hike in their kimki uniforms can as a first objective, and the non- doubt their fighing qualities. Num to-day is seriously concerned with maintaining the status quo. The fortification of those islands by bers are in this respect perhaps no dispute with Russia and the tension Finland renders them an easy guide because in their fight for in- dependence the Estonians and Lat- that has arisen along the Dniester prey.

vluns fought three armies at the River is over the annexation of Bes-

same time-the Germans under von secured sarabia. Rumania

Inter-

As a natural corollary to its tre- mendously increased size, there has

from

the Allled Powers in October, 1920-but the Soviets, from

the territory which have never

WDS

both

Finnish territory as a base for Nobody who has seen the sturdy,

•

to

national recognition of the annexa- ! #INNISH generals with whom der Goltz, the Baltic German land-

I have spoken consider the owner movement and the Bolshe Aland Islands in their present viks. They emerged victorious, in defenceless state be the spite of numerous losses.

The Latvians in pre-war days weakest point in Finland's were especially sought after us re- ability to resist an aggressor, cruits by the old Russian Imperia! and it is for this reason that Army. Hindenburg referred to the Latvian regiments who held him up Finland desires so ardently their outside Riga in 1916-17 as the fortification.

"bright stars of the Russian forces", no reason to believe Paradoxically enough, it is and there is

price

taken, recognised Rumanian sovereignty. To guarantee her posi- tion, Rumania endeavoured to esta blish 151 anti-Soviet block; she formed a Polish-Rumanian alliance of mutual assistance and received guarantees from Britoin and France that they would come to her assis- tance should her territorial Integrity be violated. The pact with Poland is dead-killed. In fact, by Rumuniu herself, for Poland needed assistance beforo Rumania, The guarantees from Britain and France are almost n dead, for any assistance they could render Rumania in the event of aggression would be contingent upon Turkish co-operation in the

Black Sen.

Russia is not the only neighbour who is striking matches around the

powder barrel of minorities upon,

Russia who objects to the forti-But their morale is worse.. Оп the contrary, thic

episode of the sea, which took place in the latter part of 1917, to speak for himself. No words of mine could describe the scene

as well as he does.

The very modesty with which he relates his experiences im- mediately stamps his story with authenticity.

I ran doum and ordered our forsail down and topsail down to make him think we were getting out our boat, we choped our warp with boys on it and a light in the den.

What about that for a quick The thought-out stratagem! skipper had evidently kept his wits.

I then up black pennent and up White Ensign. (He had not forgotten the rules of war.) When our Ensign got clear of our mizen our first shot was gone, just as our gunner had the accond shot ready, he fired one shot it went between our main Sail and mizen maat:

SKIPPER WRIGHT, probably

for the first time in his life Had the letter I quote been under fire, was not ashamed to written by a man of education admit that he had the "wind or carefully prepared before-up." but, in spite of this, he finds time for a few words of hand, there might have been a doubt that the facts, if not un-reassurance to his gunner, mak- ing him to "take it cool and true, had been exaggerated.

steady." Nor does he forget to manoeuvre his ship into a posi- tion offering as small a target to the enemy as possible.

As it is, the simple phrases, the frequent mis-spellings and the occasional defects in gram- mar all go to shew that the author was a man of deeds rather than words.

The letter came Into my pos- session, during the time I was serving in the Convoy Section (which worked in close conjunc- tion with the Anti-Submarine Division) at the Admiralty.

fication of these Islands. The promised to the Latvian and Estoni reasons which lead Russin to an sotillers for their sacrifices in the

The Iden of a small fishing prefer islands vital to Finnish case of Independance was the land integrity to remain defenceless formerly held by the German Baltic boat daring to attack a sub- landowners. They obtained inde-marine filled me with such ad- are known only to students of pendance and the land, and today miration that I made a copy of the letter which I have kept to Kremlin inner circles. Finland both countries are nations of sturdy

this day. cannot understand Russia's at smallholders who know the value of what they have and are prepared to titude, suspects her motives and night to keep it. it is considered in competent circles in Helsingfors, will soon fortify Aland, with or without Russian pormission.

•

ASKED the Foreign Ministers in Finland, Estonia and Latvia the direct question: "Can you resist a powerful aggressor?"

Assurance:

I thought our time had come, his letter continued, said to our guiner now take it cool and etcady and pct your mark home he fired our accord shot and it went strait over his deck, we saw a cloud of black smoke I then told come from his Deck. the mate (Tom Bowles) to keep our ship end on to him so he could not have such a peod tur. yet at us as we were broad side on to him when he fire. I then ran down the hold to get some more ammunition but while 1 was there he turned with his head to the casted.

Much to their disappointment THE writer's name was C. B.

Wright. He was a Skipper the U-Boat, probably disdaining (R.N.R.) and lived at 18, Prosto waste time fighting so small pect Road, Brixham.

M. Erkke, the Finnish Foreign

The Admiralty had mounted CONTROL of the Aland Islands Minister, replied with

of looking a small gun in his boat-prob- by a Power hostile to "We are quite capable

ably a three-pounder-and had which Rumania sits. Hungary is Russia does not necessarily

after ourselves.".

M. Selter, the Estonian Foreign given him a uniform and per implacably hosille, and will remain mean control of Finland, al-Minister, was more circumspect, as so, until her incessant demands for though some of Finland's most his country's more exposed position mission to fly the White Ensign. revision of territory are met. There important railways, from Helmust lead him to be, but bla reply. He must have been a proud! are 1,400,000 Magyars in Rumaniasingfors to Abo and Nystad Estonians are prepared to put every

a minority almost as vociferous as the smaller Nazi party.

left no doubt in my mind that the

In the would be within artillery range ounce of their strength into resisting south, Rumania Jealously guards of the Islands.

Dobruja, which faces on the Black

nggression from whatever source. Finland relies above all for The same may be said of Latvia.

Estonia and Latvia put their faith Sea, and which Bulgaria would like her coastal defence on the im-in mobility rather than

permanent

man!

His letter began?

I suppose by this time you have heared we have been in action with a sub, we were fish- ing about Afteen miles W. by N. of Derry Head we were to wind- ed of the Acet, about ton pant aub coming four the mate saw toward us with his head in the NNW. I went up the riggen with the glasses I saw what it was could see his gun and conning tower.

a craft, went away,

The gunner called me up he Buid Skippper he is going away from us I said give him another the male hard to port and brought our ship too and the gunner fired but he was out of range so we chased him (what check!) till he sons out of sight I had only knowed too had damaged him I would fired oli ahota we had on Deck but you knows what it is in a time liko that me and the mate had to be all over the ship in about three minutes we did not have time to atart our other motor, if we could have started the other we may have kept in range with him so 100 could have got three or four more Shots into him.

to see re-incorporated within its mense fortifications constructed fortifications for effective resistance. Summing up, one may may that it borders. Bulgaria is not so power-by the Russians in 'pre-War ful or insistent upon treaty revision years, fortifications which it would be the height of folly for an as Hungary; nevertheless, there is would be beyond the power of aggressor to use a hostile Finland or a base for operations against Rusala. every prospect that Bulgaria will Finland's puree to construct The terrain is admirably suited to force the issue if aho believea that

guerilla tactics, even supposing the Rumania's handa

are tied in the herself. north.

The chief of these are on the coastal defences were overcome, and Finland In such close, contact in The situation in the eastern Bal-island of Makellot west of many spheres with Sweden, that an

In the midst of peaceful fish- kans is complex and by no means reassuring, Rumania is in much the Helsingfors, from which 12 aggressor would possibly risk the

ing, what excitement the adventTT WAS only then that they began to worry about losing unhappy position

control the narrowest antagonism of Sweden as well. guns DS WAR

Estonia ant Latvia are not so of a U-Boat must have caused! Czecho-Slovalcin Just before the Nuzi point of the Gulf of Fin-vourably placed geographically no You would have expected them their fishing gear. Invasion last year. If Russia setzen and opposite the Estonian Finland. List their combined armies, to abandon their fishing gear PLEASE Turn To Page 3. Dossarabia, the other, wolves will

capital of Tallinn. Numerous assuredly join in the scramble.

sume

PLEASE Turn To Pago 3.

-