Pacific News-Review
pp. 3-4 · Read in the full issue
Notes And Comment On
The Progress Of The War
From March 15 To April 14
Mch. 15: Newspapers, attempting to assess the result of the surrender of Fin land to Russia, make this statement: “The British Government has been of the opin ion that relations between Germany and Russia have developed along lines which justify the view that Russia has effec tively become Germany’s ally”.
Actually, the relations between the two countries remain obscure and puzzling Germany had a good deal to do with the final peace terms, under which the Russo- Finnish war ended, but there are many indications that Russia and Germany are not operating in international affairs in complete harmony.
Mch. 15: The belief that “The extra ordinary wave of appeasement talk in Europe and America, which now has spread to London” may lead to an Easter peace, is growing. There are indications that a very strong under-cover move for an armistice is being made.
Mch. 16: Half a million Finns are now migrating from that portion of the Karel ian Isthmus which has been ceded to Russia under the peace treaty, and Soviet troops are moving in. New homes must be found for these Finns, who refuse de finitely to live under the Soviet regime.
Mch. 17: Mussolini unexpectedly left Rome to-day on a special train, to meet Herr Hitler at a rendezvous, on the top of the Brenner Pass (between Italy ana Germany). This is part of the “under cover peace moves”.
Mch. 18: Hitler and Mussolini talked for 2i hours at their rendezvous on the Brenner Pass. Meanwhile, Mr. Sumner Welles, American envoy at large, waits in Rome, and the sailing of the Italian liner, on which he is to return to America, has been delayed for two days.
Mch. 19: There is much speculation but no announcement concerning the talk be tween Hitler and Mussolini. It is gener ally believed they discussed terms for the eventual restoration of peace.
Mch. 19: Officially disclosed that, in February, Britain and France informed Finland that they were prepared to go to her aid with an expeditionary force of 100,000 men, the first of whom would be gin to arrive early in March; but it was vital to such a plan that a right-of-way for the force should be granted by Nor way and Sweden. Norway and Sweden, although appealed to, flatly refused to let the expeditionary force go through. It is announced that that force was assembled and waiting to move, right up until the surrender of Finland to Russia. Sweden and Norway have stated that, had they given right-of-way to the Allies, they im mediately would have been attacked by Germany, Mch. 20: In the biggest air action of the war, British bombers, attacking in a series of waves, lasting seven hours, ex tensively damaged the German air base at Hornum, on the North Sea island of Sylt, off the coast of Germany. Great damage was done.
Mch. 20: Following what he regarded as a hostile vote in the Chamber of Deputies, M. Daladier, premier of France, handed his resignation to the President.
It is expected that Daladier will be com missioned to form a new cabinet.
The resignation came as a surprise to Britain.
Mch. 20: The explanations given con cerning the delay of the Allies in giving aid to the Finns have not silenced the
mounting volume of criticism, that both the British and French Governments are too slow and unenterprising in the conduct of the war, and that new and more vigorous leadership is needed.
Mch. 21: New French Government formed under Paul Reynaud, described as a soldier, globe-trotter and conser vative business man. ‘Daladier is one of the leading members of his Cabinet.
Comment from Berlin is that the French nation has been dissatisfied with the con duct of the war and that much greater energy is demanded in its prosecution and consequently Reynaud has been intro duced as Premier. Other indications are that this is a correct interpretation. The whole French press expresses regret for the crisis, but insists that it shows that Prance is determined to pursue the most active war policy.
Mch. 25: While enemy attacks on British shipping have diminished, British attacks on German shipping in Scandin avian waters have become more frequent.
Norway has protested to Britain against violations of her neutrality—although the Germans actually have sunk about 50 Norwegian ships, and caused the deaths of over 1,000 Norwegian seamen.
Mch. 26: Now clear that the important under-cover peace drive, developed just before Easter, came to nothing. The atti tude of Britain and France became stiffer and stronger. It is believed that both Governments received convincing evidence of failing morale in Germany, and that they decided to continue the war with greater vigour, rather than enter into discussions now with a wholly untrustworthy Nazi party, which still controls Germany, and still holds all the spoils.
Mch. 26: Not a single Allied ship was sunk by enemy action during the week ended March 24.
Mch. 27: After one of the bitterest election campaigns in the history of Canada, the Liberal Government of Mr.
Mackenzie King was returned to power with an overwhelming majority, thus giving public endorsement to the Govern ment s pro-British war policy.
Mch. 29: The Supreme Allied War Council proclaimed in London that neither Britain nor France will make peace except by mutual agreement, and that they will continue to co-operate after the war. The new French Premier secured a decision that the Allies shall wage the war more energetically.
Mch. 30: A “puppet government” set up by Japan and led by a Chinese, Wang Ching-Wei, to nominally govern that portion of China occupied by Japanese troops came into office to-day.
Japan has announced that if the Powers refuse to recognise it, the “puppet gov ernment” will not pay the interest on the various loans made to the former Chinese Government. Interest on these loans, however, is being paid by the Chinese Government proper, which is established at Chungking, under the Chinese Generalissimo, Chiang Kai- Shek.
Apl. 1; There is much talk of new measures by the Allies to police neutral waters and tighten up the blockade of Germany. These will apply in particular to the waters around Scandinavia.
Apl. 2; Mr. Chamberlain has issued a warning to neutrals that the Allies will prosecute the economic war to the ut most. He compared the Allies’ scrupulous
regard for neutral rights with the way in which Germany has been destroying neutral shipping. But the Allies must now take much sterner measures to prevent raw materials and foodstuffs reaching Germany through neutral channels. As the Germans had shown no respect for international law, the Allies were forced to the position that they, also, in order to make their blockade effective, must disregard certain of the laws which ap plied to neutrals.
Apl. 4: British Cabinet re-arranged so that Mr. Winston Churchill (First Lord of Admiralty) now will preside over an inner committee of fighting service Mini sters which, after consultation with their chiefs of staff, will make recommenda tions to the War Cabinet.
Apl. 4: The organisation in the North West Pacific, under which British war ships will examine merchantmen carrying to Russian ports cargoes which might be intended for transport to Germany, has been referred to by the Japanese Govern ment, which has warned Britain not to institute a blockade of Vladivostok. It said that the Japanese Navy might be compelled to take measures. The British Official Wireless replied immediately that, when it was necessary, Britain would exercise her full belligerent rights.
All this excitement about German sub marines operating from a Siberian port against Pacific shipping is mostly yellow press sensationalism. Anyone who studies the map can see that submarines operat ing from Russian Pacific ports could do little damage to Allied shipping. The largest submarines cannot operate at a greater distance from their base than about 1,500 miles.
Apl. 5: Because Britain is now tighten ing the blockade, to prevent the ship ment of iron ore from the North Nor wegian port of Narvik, to Germany, it is reported that Germany is planning special measures. There are indications that German troops are being concen trated on points on the Baltic coast, perhaps to be thrown against the Scan dinavian countries.
Apl. 5; As part of a more intensive economic war against Germany, the British Government has formed and financed a trading company, to develop trade between Britain and the Balkans nations. The plan is that Britain shall step in and buy the products of those nations wherever necessary to prevent the goods reaching Germany.
Apl. 8; Last night, British and French naval units laid minefields in three areas along the western coast of Norway. Then came a dramatic radio announcement at 5 a.m. that the British and French Gov ernments had resolved to prevent the enemy’s continued use of Norway’s terri torial waters, and therefore had laid the minefields. Norway has protested.
There has been a violent reaction in Germany. Important developments are awaited.
Apl. 8: It was reported this morning from Oslo (capital of Norway) that 50 German warships (which included battle ships, cruisers, destroyers and mine sweepers) and numerous transports were moving northwards towards the Skagger Rak (between Denmark and Norway).
Other reports indicate movements by large numbers of German vessels in the
waters between Norway and Denmark.
It is also reported that numerous British warships are in the vicinity.
Apl. 9: Acting with amazing swiftness, and conforming to a timetable that ob viously had been carefully planned, Ger man forces, during the night of April 8 and the early hours of April 9, occupied the whole of Denmark and the following places in Norway—namely, Oslo (the capital), various towns along the shores of Oslo fiord (which leads up to Oslo) and the chief Norwegian west coast ports of Stavanger, Bergen, Tronheim and (in the far north) Narvik. The Germans effected a complete surprise. Military forces marched across the frontier and occu pied southern Denmark; others were landed in Denmark from ships. Most of the Norwegian places were occupied by forces landed rapidly from ships, of which hundreds were employed. Immedi ately daylight broke, over 100 large pas senger-carrying aeroplanes began to transport troops from Germany to various points in Norway—especially Oslo, Stavanger and Bergen, and places around the Oslo fiord.
The Danes did not resist, and all Den mark was completely occupied when darkness fell to-day. There has been great confusion in Norway, but it is clear that the Norwegians are fighting the Germans at many points.
Berlin announced that this move by Germany was retaliation against the British action in laying minefields off the west coast of Norway. But it was soon clear that Germany’s invasion of Den mark and Norway had long been planned, and actually had been commenced the day before the British minefields haa been laid. The British minefields were laid only on the night of April 7, and it was reported early on April 8 that extra ordinary large formations of German ships were moving along the coast oi Denmark and Norway. These of course were the fleets of transports guarded by warships which were on their way to seize the more distant places in western Norway.
The German High Command an nounced on April 9: “The German army has taken Denmark and Norway under its protection, in order to counteract actions against them, and to prevent possible hostile attack against these countries. Strong forces therefore in vaded them this morning.”
Apl. 10; The Allies have acted with swiftness and decision. Large British and French naval and air forces on April 8 were thrown against the Germans, and their attacks upon German warships and transports are continuing in a series of “dogfights” spread over hundreds of miles of sea. It is difficult to say exactly what the losses are on either side, but is is believed that 1 German battleship and 4 cruisers have been sunk and 2 cruisers damaged off the Norwegian coast; that a considerable number (anything up to a dozen) German transports have been sunk; and that severe losses have been inflicted upon smaller German vessels such as destroyers and minesweepers. The British and French naval losses have been small.
The most important development is that large, powerful British naval forces have thrust their way through the B er , Kak, and right down into the Kattegat, fighting constantly against German naval and air craft, and are hammering at the narrow straits between Denmark and Sweden, which are the en trance to the Baltic. This is the first time the British Navy has been able to *et into the entrance to the Baltic, and
if the Germans lose control there, the position will be very serious for them.
There have been severe losses of air craft on each side.
There was at first great confusion in Norway. The King ana the Government fled from Oslo to a town 40 miles north, and then, moved further inland. The Germans tried to capture the King, but failed. They set up in Oslo a “puppet’ government of Norwegian Nazis and, seizing the Oslo radio, broadcast in structions to Norwegians to submit quietly and accept German protection.
But the Norwegian Ministers quickly got some control of the situation from their
temporary headquarters. They announced
formally that Norway was at war with Germany, and they instructed Nor wegians to fight the Germans wherever possible. The Norwegians, considering that they are not trained in war, rallied in remarkable fashion and fighting is now going on in many places. Meanwhile, the Allies are hurrying to give aid to the Norwegians.
It was widely reported on April 10 that the British Navy had recaptured some of the Norwegian ports, had occupied Oslo fiord, and had given the Germans 12 hours to surrender or get out. But this was only the imaginative rubbish of correspondents of the neutral sensa tional press, who had gathered in Stock holm, nearby. The British Government, In an official announcement, said chat no attempt would be made for the moment to recapture the Norwegian ports.
Obviously, it is of greater importance that the British Navy, if possible, should seize this providential opportunity to secure control of the entrance to the Baltic. If that can be done, the Ger mans in Norway will not only be auto matically cut off, but the way will be open for an Allied attack upon Germany through the Baltic—one thing that Ger many fears.
Meanwhile, the Germans have complete control of Denmark, and they are trans porting about 4,000 men daily by ah to Norway. They have completely cut off all British trade with the three Scan dinavian countries; and food supplies, which previously went from Denmark to Britain, are now going from Denmark to Germany. If Germany can retain her position in Denmark and Norway, she will have scored a most important strategical victory. If the British Navy succeeds in holding the entrance to the Baltic, this German adventure may prove to be the greatest disaster that Hitler yet has experienced.
Apl. 11; Officially announced that the Allies have laid very extensive mine fields around the coasts of Denmark, in the Skagger Rak, and right up into the Kattegat. The effect of this is to cut off all German sea communication between Germany and the Norwegian ports. This may force the Germans to cross from Norway into Sweden; or, alternatively, the Germans may try to send supplies and reinforcements through Sweden in to Norway.
Apl. 11: The greatest alarm is being felt in Sweden, where every possible step has been taken to defend the neutrality of the country. A number of official an nouncements, made in Stockholm, indi cate that the Swedes will defend their neutrality against Germany, in all cir cumstances.
Apl. 13: As the German position in Norway becomes more precarious, there is a growing probability of a new Ger man blow —either a massed air attack
on Britain, an attack on the western front, or the invasion of Holland and Belgium by German troops. There have been alarming German troop move ments near the frontier of Holland, and Holland has assembled forces and taken all measures necessary to repel an invader.
Apl. 13: Meanwhile, there is grave anxiety regarding the attitude of Italy.
Large military forces have been assembled in Italy, and it is reported that the Italian Navy “is not only ready but has steam up”. The suggestion is made that if Germany now throws her whole weight against the Allies, with a view to escaping from the disastrous consequences of her Norwegian adven ture, Italy may seize the opportunity to attack British and French forces and territories in the Mediterranean. There is very great diplomatic activity in all the Baltic countries.
Apl. 14: It is reported from Moscow that the Soviet Government has flatly refused requests by the German Gov ernment to permit two German war ships, the battleship “Scharnhorst” (26,000 tons), and the cruiser “Admiral Hipper” (10,000), which have been cut oft by the British in northern waters, to take sanctuary in Russian Arctic ports.
If this report is correct, it has great significance.
It may be confidently assumed, how ever, that these uncertain neutrals — especially Italy and Russia—will be guided in their immediate future actions entirely by the outcome of the struggle between the Allies and Germany, in the North Sea. If Germany should suc ceed in crippling the Allies, or in forc ing them to use the whole of their strength in that area, it is certain that the Italians and Russians would move to take advantage of the Allies’ embar rassment for their own advantage.
Apl. 14: There is speculation as to what will happen to the Netherlands Indies if Hitler should march his armies into Holland. Some commentators say there would be immediately a rush by Britain, Japan and the United States to estab lish a protectorate over the Dutch East Indies. If such a protectorate is estab lished by either Britain or U.S.A., it will mean, of course, that those Powers intend only to hold the Netherlands Indies until Holland is again free of the invader.
Apl. 14: On Saturday the British battleship “Warspite” and the Second Destroyer Flotilla smashed their way into the Norwegian port of Narvik, which had been seized by the Germans, and sank 7 German destroyers, silenced coastal batteries which had been set up by the Germans, and sent the German garrisons fleeing to the hills. It is be lieved that the British have taken pos session of Narvik. It is unofficially reported that a large Allied expedition ary force is proceeding to Norwegian waters, and a landing by Allied forces in Norway is expected.
Apl. 14: It is officially announced that British minelayers, protected by destroy ers and preceded by minesweepers, somehow made their way through the narrow strait between Denmark and Sweden, into the Baltic Sea, and laid minefields along the whole of the Ger man coast from the Kattegat practically to Lithuania. This field, together with the other fields already laid, means a further interruption of communications between Germany and Norwegian ports.