A FINNISH CALAMITY—

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 98, 16 August 1945, Page 8

A FINNISH CALAMITY—

During the Russo-Finnish war the capital of the Finnish Karelian Isthmus Viborg fell because the entire Finnish garrison of 30 000 got drunk. The Government ordered all civilians to evacuate the urgently leaving all property behind. The wines and spirits of the state alcohol monpooly shops in Viborg were abandoned and left unguarded. The soldiers lapped up Schnapps, cognac red wine liqueurs and the sweet red heavy Finnish mesimarja. The Soviet intelligence sj'stem behind the Finnish lines sized up the situation in Viborg immediately and communicated- the astonishing facts to General Gorovov's headquarters. Gorovov saw his chance. Next morning he flung everything he had against the useless garrison with a hangover and praeticalby walked into the capital unopposed. Soviet mobile guns, closely followed by tanks and infantry simply mowed down the bleary eyed Finns. The whole garrison was wiped out. Again the warning of Scripture rings true: "Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine and men of strength to mingle strong drink." (Isaiah 5:22). The future security and safety of our nation lies in following the counsel of God in sobriety and not drunkenness. Inserted by Bay of Plenty S.D.A. Temperance Society.