The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-01-25

War on the economic frunt
brings results slowly: must be
supported constantly by armed
might. In order 10 h. successful
After four months % cen-
fiiet eeswe~a Germaay and The
allied powers. the foregoing
considerations help explsin m
days warfare on one new treat
--f1niaad--snd they provide
the sasis for examination ef
threats that the conflict viii
spread 10 ssiii ether fronts
from scAsdinavta 10 tire
balkans.
There are three fundamental
factors underlying these threats;
German charges that the allies
are msneuveFiHg 10 draw more
European countries into the war,
In order 10 perfect their blockade
OF the Reich and 10 establish new
bases for attack on leas strongly
fortified borders Of Germany.
7-Allied charges that Germany
threatens 70 invade small
neighbor states. In order 10 attempt
thanking attack on the Msginot
line. TO get better air bases for
bombing the British Isles and 10
assure a steady flow Of supplies
into the Reich.
3-The resurgence of Soviet Rus
STA a. powerful factor in
Europe and the Red army invasion
OF Finland. which 10 perhaps the
most formidable threat that the
war zones VIII be extended.
Let's look at the facts and the
potential dangers.
NaEis have charged that the
allies sought 20 bring Rumania.
Greece. Turkey and Sweden into
the war orbit by pledges Of assist
anoe or by shipping war materials
through Scandinavia 10 Finland.
as a preliminary 10 establishing
military bases In Sweden for use
against the Reich.
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Obviously, the British are at
tempting by every means TO extend
and tighten their blockade.
These efforts would be complete
II Germanys small nelghbors, IN
GLIDING Belgium and Holland. en-
tered the war on the allied side.
That. too. would give Britain and
France bases for attack without
spending perhaps a million lives In
tho death traps Of the sieEfried
line.
But there In a stili more import
ant factor involved from the allied
viewpoint.
Britain and France have based
their war against Germany on OPP
position to aggression. They believe
they have the sympathy Of most OF
the present governments Of the
neutrals. both because Of the SUI
perior allied resources and because
the small states have witnessed the
fate Of Czechoslovakia and Poland.
Charge Repeated
The allies count heavily on the
sympathy. as well a. the friendly
attitude. Of the United States. Tn
less pushed to desperation. II would
be suicidal for them 10 violate the
integrity Of any small state.
Charges that Germany plans TO
invade Holland and Belgium have
come with clock like regularity
from allied sources.
The basis Ia that the NAxi high
command wants 10 flank the Magi-
not line by repeating the World
war dash through northern France.
THE same argument IL sometimes
advanced IN regard 10 s~itzer-
iandl
One Threat Remains
So far. all Of the facts have indi-
Gated the allies charges were based
more on their own preparations 10
offset such a Maxi move than on
real fear that an invasion would Be
attempted.
Germany now has access 20 sip
plies from the low countries. Scan
,tlr..yf. .x.a A. a.fL... a. s-s.f..
purpose IL 10 protect those supply
lines She would gain little. and
might lose much. BY taking the
offensive.
On the basis Of Developments 30
far. the third and perhaps greatest
threat 10 neutrsls IL an Indirect
almost accidental. o1tgro~th Of the
war.
Russia Il SLOWED
II seems probabis TIA; Soviet
Russia. BY taking advantage ~
the war IN ths west. wiil b able
10 bring Finland into ia orbit
without war or AT least withou, .
big war.
But. II that IL true. the Krsfnlln
mistudgsd the attitude % Europe
generally. a. well a. IRE military
problem Of defeating the Flnnish
army IN the cold and snow and
rugged terrain q the Arctic.
There has been q MARKED rsac-
ton IN the Balkans and the Near
Fart. where fear Of the Red sTTnys
power has decreased for the time
being. and, consequently. there 10
ls<s fear u a possible Saxl-sovist
military bloc. This. naturally. IL
10 the adyantaKs o. thu aiiiea.
Ll.. IN Ansih