Evening star., 1940-04-10


Swedish press reported that British
warships were believed ready to
force a passage into that port, where
four German cruisers were said to
be anchored.
Summing up the reports from all
sources, naval observers expressed
belief that bigyscale naval warfare
was in progress from the Skagerrak
on the south to Narvik, above the
Arctic Circle.
These observers said the ability Of
the German fleet to sally into the
North. and Norwegian seas to cover
troop landing operations on Nor
ways coasts indicated that the
British feet deliberately allowed the
enemy to reach the high seas In the
hope OF Gripping or destroying 1t.
Size Of Fleet Unknown.
Exact proportions OF the German
fleet are not known, it being almost
all new construction. It is known
to include four to six battleships,
two pocket battleships, one or more
aircraft carriers, dozen or more
cruisers, and more than 4 score of
destroyers, supplemented by sub
marines, torpedo boats and lesser
| craft.
While the British did not confirm
reports that expeditionary forces al
ready were en- route to Norway.
observers held that smashing blow
to the German fleet was a necessary
forerunner.
Awaiting official reports on the
naval results, the British also kept
Watchful eye on Belgium and the
Netherlands. Two Belgian fishing
trawlers gave radio reports indicate
ing that Britain was clearing all
shipping from the North Sea, saying
they had been taken to a control
base by British ships and that
Netherlands fishing boats were seen
there. British northeast coast ship
pers decided to hold up all neutral
shipping to be loaded for Scan
dinavia.
| Some observers advanced theory
that Germanys thrust into Scan
dinavia might possibly mean a large
scale operation against the Neither
lands and Belgium next.
Pessimistic in Amsterdam.
A Reuters British news agency,
dispatch from Amsterdam said gov
ernment circles there nov are TAX
ing more pessimistic view Of the
situation"
The quickening war tempo was
accompanied by cancellation of
leaves of Royal Air Force and Brit
ish expeditionary force members
in France. Reuters published a cor
respondents account from some
where in France" detailing at length
what the army would wear ana
carry IF the B. E. F. men march"
Some observers contended that an
effective allied commensurate to
Germany's Scandinavian drive
would be an attempt to crack the
Siegfried Line. There were no ready
| indications, however, that the quiet
OF the western front might be shat
tered.
Military men pointed out that by
| invading Denmark and Norway
Germany got a number of air
dromes which considerably lessened
the striking distance to Britain s
northeast coast.
The distances from Sylt Island and
bases on the northwest German
mainland are 600 to 700 miles, COM
pared with about 400 miles from
the Scandinavian bases.
l. Other observers argued that Ger
lmany acquired more liabilities than
| assets by her move. They said that
German communication lines were
greatly extended and that the allies
now were in a position to make a
long-desired flank attack. --. e
The Food Ministry said that oc-
cupation of Denmark would not af-
feet British rationing, at least for
the present. The British termed
German seizure of large stocks of
food in Denmark was only of tenn
porary advantage because Den-
marks dairy and livestock industry
was largely dependent on feed i'm
ported from Britain.