Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-04-25
The War
Today
Sweden. liked
bv Sub s Loss,
Gros for War

By REAR ADMIRAL CLARK
II. WoODW ARD, L. :, NAVY
copyrss,. rats b., Ir'- >,os ss-n'
WASHINGTON. April 4--P~css
reports once more focus attention
on Sweden ard The Scaudins' an
peninsula.
The FIST noted an official
fsre-ur In sweden over daylight
gun attack hy a Nazi merchant
man or trs Swedish submarine
Draken IN homo waters or Cote
borg.
Repai -nl- This incident -slnul-
tsneouStv WITH news of The dis
appearance Of the Drakon's sister
ship Ulven, brought protest from
Stockholm 10 Berlin
These happened during con-
troversy over transport of German
soldiers between Germany and
NORWAY via Sweden, and also con-
corning the flight Of German
nlanes over the Swedish naval
base Al karlskrons.
The second report is dispatch
from Stockholm 70 the effect that
unless GermanyS explanation IS
satisfactory the Swedish govern
n1ent may preclude German ships
from Swedish waters.
Swedish newspapers violently
condemned the bold violation Of
Sweden'S neutrality reported that
a German motor torpedo-boat had
been seen subsequently IN the
vicinity OF the Drake attack and
that Gerna planes had been seen
flying over the scene for two days
after the incident
Though a transit agreement had
been made between Berlin and
Stockholm. the volume OF German
troops sent across the country has
reached such serious proportions
that there has been growing
demand in Sweden 10 denouncej
the agreement.
What Sweden could do 10 resist
an invasion still is uncertain.
Partial mobilization of her army
has already been effected and
troops have been undergoing in
tensifed training.
Urlzn r~rar-inr hnS CfQtRh thai
measures have been taken to-
counteract blitz warfare methods
and fifth column activities.
As for arrangement with Ger.
many for the use of Swedish rail-
roads for transit of soldiers on
leave from Norway. the prime
minister indicated that should hos
tilifies be extended 10 the Scandi-
navian Peninsula, Sweden neither
cot,ld. nor would, permit the pres
emf transit agreement 10 continue,
ard declared that Sweden would
fight any invader.
The premier would not have.
isAed orders 10 the Swedish army.
AS he did-"to act on their OWN
Initiative in case they be cut of
from the government and the high.
command. unless he has reason to
believe either that invasion is a.
Instability. or that Germany'S pro-
posed extension of her northern
defense system would place Swe-
don within the Nazi fortress.
Hitler is afraid that the Allies
may attempt TO land and break
through northern Norway for the
purpose Of keeping the Murmansk
route Openly attacking the rear
offGerman-Finnish positions.
In order 10 counter such an at-i
tempt the NaziS must be able to-
move their troops 10 the threat
ersd area. This would necessitate
using the railway running from
Sweden across Norway 70 Narvik.
AZ the Germans used force the
Swedes would fight them.
Sweden'S Sympathies, naturally
are with the people of Norway
Denmark and Finland
With her thousand-mile land
frontier none Of which Is neutral
and as many miles Of coast to-
defend, the strength of Sweden's
amy is estimated AZ approx
ratelv 10000 efficient and we'll
armed troops This Is augmented
by an air force Of about 50 squad
rons of fighter bomber and recon-
naissance planes 800 totaN. with
q Sarge reserve
AS for the navy James Fight
ing Ships shows Sweden 70 pos
sess three battleShips 1920 tons F..
one aircraft depot ship $500
tons, II destroycrS eight torpedo
boats. FIVE coastal torpedo boats
il motor torpedo boats, p sub
marines L depot and mother
ships and numerous small craft
trnineswcepers, submarine chsSerS
and naval auxlllsrleSl
In addition there were two S 600
ton bsttleshipS and two 7000-ton
cruisers under construction A. the
beginning Of the year. Some or All
~ \. -, !