The claim of Reuter's military correspondent, that Russia, when she embarked upon the invasion of Finland, did not reckon upon committing herself to a major campaign, is probably correct, for it now transpires that M. Stalin hoped to secure the reduction of the Finns before the advent of really cold weather which would do so much to immobilize the Russian forces. Inadequate initial preparations, failure to realize that, with the Finns offering a stubborn resistance, they were encountering a foe which would give them considerable trouble, and now the further advent of snows which should hold up. most operations until the coming of Spring, have denied the Soviet Government any hope of a Blitzkrieg so much fancied by Herr Hitler and his minions, and forces it to contemplate a winter of idleness until the weather permits large-scale movement again. This should prove a godsend to the Finns, who for the past three weeks have been fighting continuously against the Russians, their comparatively small numbers confronting the invader making it well nigh impossible to give the men that rest which is only available when there are sufficient reliefs. Thus while the Finns are calling up further classes, the overwhelming numbers which the Russian command has put into the field necessitates continual fighting without the slightest chance of a break. Should the advent of more snow bring about a considerable limitation of Russian activities, the Finns will be given some months in which to reorganize themselves, and to obtain those additional supplies which will be necessary if they are to continue the valiant struggle which they are now putting up, and which is costing the Soviet so much in mortality and material. It will also afford those sympathetic neutrals an opportunity better to devise means of assisting Finland in her resistance to unprovoked aggression, and if Finland takes advantage of the respite, as it is confidently expected she will, she will be in a position to meet the renewed Russian onslaughts in the Spring with renewed strength. The position appears to be that while movement in the north will be definitely stopped, and that across the waist of Finland held up until the spring, spasmodic attempts may be made against the Mannerheim Line which will in all probability meet the same fate as those which have been made up to the present.
This expected lull may also afford an opportunity for discussing peace, though it must be admitted that the factors operating against such a possibility are more impressive than those in favour of it. The latest Finnish radio appeal has met with contemptuous silence from Moscow, obviously because there is no desire now to stop at anything short of the complete subjugation of the country. To accept anything less, in view of the rough handling which the Finns have meted out to the Russians, would be to make precisely that sort of confession of failure which MI Stalin cannot, in his position, afford to make. Like his accomplice, Herr Hitler, he has to feed his people with continual success, and though a few months of inaction may bring about some restiveness amongst the Russian masses it is not believed that that will become strong enough to ensure such a change of Government in Russia as would automatically give Finland peace again. In this connection it is interesting to speculate on what action M. Stalin may contemplate taking in the Balkans during the interim. In that quarter may be found the temptation to seek further successes to delude the Russian people with the idea of the infallibility of their leader, for, now he has embarked upon war, his needs have become precisely the same as his confederate, Herr Hitler. While not a great deal of news has been coming out of the Balkans, it must always be remembered that if Finland is important to Moscow, so also is the prevention of the spread of German influence in south-eastern Europe. That has been recognized by Italy, which sees in the growing influence of Russia amongst the Balkan states a threat to her own standing in that part of the world, and to her well-established interests there. It is consequently not surprising that the news should have come out that in the early days of this months Italy was prepared to send troops into Hungary to check any move that Russia might have been contemplating.
It does not matter very much what Herr Hitler may think about it all, but the. fact stands out prominently that Italy cannot afford to see the growth of Russian influence in the Balkans. The passage of those states under the political dominance of Moscow, would not only bring Communism right up to the very doors of Italy, but might also deprive her of supplies, such as, for instance, Rumanian oil. Italian interest in the Balkans is, therefore, by no means academic, and should Russia seize advantage of the lull in the north, and seek to prosecute its well-known policy in the south, the danger of a clash with Italy is something which cannot be discounted. In the Balkans, Moscow would find no small nation determined with all its small resources in men and upon the community of Shanghai in one form or another are already great, but this appeal has about it a peculiar poignancy, which cannot be ignored. Put bluntly the Finns are fighting for just those same ideals of freedom which are the very life and soul of so many of the nations represented by the various communities in this very cosmopolitan city. They are fighting with their backs to the wall against the cynical policies which have already plunged so many millions into war, and in a struggle not of their own choosing they have displayed a courage, and fortitude which cannot but elicit the admiration of all who believe in the ideals of democracy, and even those who may indulge in a wholly different political concept, In various parts of the world admirers of the Finns have already testified to that admiration by subscribing handsomely to the various funds which have been opened in their behalf. It is felt that there are many in Shanghai who would also like to pay tribute to the tremendous gallantry of a small nation, There s already much suffering in Finland, and in all probability much more to be expected before an end is made of all the fighting, and Finland restored to her dearly bought independence. This chance to translate the admiration which is felt for her people into terms of money should be heartily welcomed by all those who admire the David who goes forth to meet Goliath, for there is something particularly inspiring in the little fellow risking the odds and standing manfully for his rights. Mere sympathy is all right as far as it goes, but if that can be transformed into material assistance how much better it will be? Donations may be sent to the Friends of Finland Fund at the Finnish Legation, 301 Route Cardinal Mercier, and will be acknowledged in the columns of this journal.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.