Rome, too, may take an active role in helping Finland, it was learned, according to reports from the Italian capital. If Germany continues to oppose the transit of Italian war material to the Finns, the sea and lend route via Norway and Sweden may be utilized, though it is much longer. Even a certain number of Italian volunteers may be authorized by the Government to go to Finland and fight against the invading Bolsheviks.
As for indirect aid, provisions for this, too, will be made, it was said, for if the Scandinavian countries are to aid Finland in every way, they doubtless will want some guarantee against invasion of their own frontiers.
Germany, it was pointed out, needs the iron ore that is mined in Sweden and Norway, for iron is essential to her for the pursuance of the war. In these circumstances, if the northern countries are attacked because of their stand by Finland, it was learned that the Allies would not remain inactive. Help would be forthcoming; there can be no doubt of this, it was stated, for occupation of the Norwegian coast and Norwegian and Swedish natural resources would constitute a direct threat against the Allies.
Present diplomatic parleys with the Scandinavian capitals soon will serve to reveal the latter's intentions, it was learned, and also will give the Allies an opportunity to affirm officially their attitude should direct aid be extended Finland by the Scandinavian forces.—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.