Evening star., 1943-08-08
Staggering Under Many Gripping Blows Allies
Baltic IF

There is every indication that the
Nazis are having their headaches in the
North as everywhere else in their swollen
empire.
Most important is the new attitude of
the Swedes, talking tough to the Nazis
they appeased three years ago with tram
sit concessions
Norway, as always. is restive under the
Nazi yoke, and sabotage is continually
reported.
A resurvey of Scandinavia, in the light
of recent developments, shows the Nazis
with everything to lose and nothing more
to gain
Sweden is the central core of Scan
dinavia. When Hitler was slamming
through Europe in 1910 and Nazi vic
tory seemed only days away Sweden took
practical view of the situation, looked
to its rusty defenses and did little to
offend Germany.
Defenses Built.
Now the situation has changed The
Nazis seem certain to be eventual losers,
an outcome the ma ajority of Swedes al
ways have favored. Sweden has used
the years since 1910 to build crack mil
itary and naval establishment. 1t Is
small, but experts rate it a tough GUS
toner on its home grounds.
So, with their defenses in order and
Germany losing ground, the SWedes are
not playing possum any longer. They
expressed annoyance when military maps
of Sweden were found in transit ship
ments from Finland to Germany.
They spoke out sharply when Nazi
planes flew over the KarlSkrona naval
base where Sweden's fleet was concen-
trated. They really blew up when Nazi
freighter fired on the Swedish submarine
Draken in Swedish territorial waters
They have now revoked the rail transit
privileges for Nazi soldiers and materiel
to travel in Sweden.
Serves as Weathervane.
Sweden's attitude is important as a
weathervane. 1t Is more important for
the potential damage the Swedes can do
the Nazis if it comes to a break.
Sweden's network of rail lines Is the
connecting link. on land. between Ger
many and her holdings in Finland and
Norway. With the threatened sea lanes
cut, the railroads would be invaluable
to Germany.
Sweden's geogra phical position domi-
mates the narrow Baltic sea lanes to Fin
land and Norway. Her compact navy
could match German strength in the
Baltic
Southern Sweden would be a perfect
bomb platform to hit at Germanys vul-
nerable north. A Nazi-Swedish rupture
would deny Germany the vital, high
grade Swedish iron ore necessary to her
war production.
1t appears obvious to neutral observers
that Finland has knuckled under to Ger
many of necessity. War-weary, the Firms
wanted OUT and hinted at peace feel
ers. However, they are dependent on
Germany for food to survive, and the
Nazis are welding the club The Films
are not willing partners, and their value
as allies is debatable
Fear Baltic Blitz.
Germany fears Russian blitz into the
Baltic states from Leningrad This
would bring the war mcomfortably close
to the Reich. The Nazis are demanding
Finn offensive to pin down Russian
troops that might otherwise smash west
ward.
The possibility Of an Allied landing on
Norway's coast cannot be discounted,
either. 1t could neutralize the threat to
the supply line to Russia II successful
The nub of the whole situation, how
ever, is Sweden.
Her connecting-link transport system,
the materials she supplies Germany, her
dominance OF the sea lanes and her posi-
ton as bombing threat make Sweden
the big "if' in Scandinavia That is why
the diplomats Of the world are watching
her moves SO carefully.