Evening star., 1939-07-08
Northern Europeans
Seek 10 Stay Out
OF Any New War
Scondinuviuns and Firms
Face Threat Of Being
Caught in Conflict
BY ELMER w. PETERSON,


Associated Press Foreign Correspondent.
HELSINGFORS. Finland, July 8.
Gould the Scandinavian countries
and Finland, famed for their neu-
trality, stay out of general Euro
pean war?
There was a time when declara-
tion of neutrality was enough, when
staying neutral meant an opportu-
nifty to trade with the warning pow
ers as the Scandinavian countries
did during the World War.
But these are different days. The
four Northern countries are wonder
ing what their fate would be if war
should come to Europe.
All four want no more than to be
left in peace, but there is such a
thing as being forced into fight.
To begin with, there is the eco
homie blockade. 1t is taken for
granted that Western powers, in
war with Germany, would impose
one Immediately. Germany, in turn,
TO protect her smaller navy, could be
expected to try to seal the water
passage between Denmark and the
south tip of Sweden.
Reich Needs Swedish Ore.
Observers see every likelihood,
therefore, that Germany would at
least attempt to bring pressure on
the Scandinavian countries for food
and raw materials. Germany needs
and would continue to need Sweden
high-grade ore for munitions. And if
the Scandinavian countries and Fin
land should sell voluntarily to Ger
many, the other side might charge
them with having hostile attitude.
Their attention is on Russia as
well as Germany. In a general war
Russia might seek to take over Fin
nish islands in the Gulf of Finland
for defense Of Leningrad. The
Firms have a suspicion that Russia.
II warning against Germany, might
try to occupy Finland as defensive
measure.
In such a case German war YES
sells might rush to the Aaland Is
lands, between Sweden and Finland.
From there both countries could be
put under pressure
The fact that Scandinavian and
Finnish trade is to the west would
be further complication, espe-
cially If the Baltic Sea we're
blocaded. Already Finland is. con-
sidering development of the Port
OF Petsome, in the nor III, to permit
shipping around Norway.
Seek to Refortify Aalands.
Finland and Sweden have plan
to refortify the Aaland Islands
Jointly. and Finland is prepared. if
necessary, to do it alone. The is
lands, Russian until 1917, were de-
militarized in 1921 by a League of
Nations convention which guaran-
teed their neutrality. But Swedens
interest in fortifying them indicates
that the country. untouched by war
for more than 1875 years, is conscious
of a new shaping up of events.
Modern air power can threaten a
distant country. And Baltic naval
power is again a factor with Ger
many ascendant From a military
viewpoint. the Scandinavian coun-
tries and Finland are closer to the
rest of the continent than ever be-
fore.
With an eye on neutrality, their
positions differ
Denmark is directly under the arm
Of German might, with no natural
barriers. 1t is agreed that she could
do no more than declare herself
neutral. So the Danes do not bother
to arm extensively.
Sweden is we'll prepared to defend
her neutrality. She has a small but
efficient navy, compulsory military
training, one of the worlds ranking
munitions factories, and an improv-
ing air force.
Norway is excellently protected bv
a rocky coastline and is farther from
the continental mainland. She is
taking active steps in preparedness,
especially with aircraft. A vulner-
able point is her extensive merchant
marine.
Finns' Frontiers Difficult.
Finland has public spirit without
equal, difficult frontiers, an efficient
little army, a few ships and a stead
lily growing air force.
A point of speculation is whether,
IN an emergency, Sweden, Norway
and Finland might join forces and
have well-trained army of at least
100000 men, backed by Swedish
wealth and munitions.
Representatives of the three met
recently at Oslo to define their
DrlnciDleS Of peI1tralitv Tho ,>l,,
is to be able to say exactly what
they mean by neutrality and to
draw sure lines of conduct.
One thing is certain observers
agree. Neutrality in Scandinavia
and Finland is backed by great pub
lie determination.
If neutrality should have to be
abandoned, national feeling would
be important. The Sweden of pre-
World War days. with its pro-Ger-
man tendencies, has given way to a
powerful Social-Democrat regime.
Norway likewise has a Leftist gov
ernment. All three are firm beliv-
ers In democratic government.
Trade is now identified with Eng
land and the United States espe-
cially.
It's all question for the future.
but there is a new awareness that
the days of spectator nations" NAV
be more difficult than in the war
OF 1914-1918 when Sweden, Norway
and Denmark managed to stay out.
Finland then was part of Russia.