FINLAND'S FUTURE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 142, 11 March 1919, Page 6

FINLAND'S FUTURE

•STATEMENT BY GENERAL . MANNEEHEIM.' ■ '■ , ' / General Baron Mannerheim, the newly, elected Regent of Finland, before sailing from Newcastle for Helsingfore to assume his new office, made a statement to Renter's representative, in the course of which he said: The leading part of my policy is to get ,on' the best torms possible with the Allies, to work for, the complete independence of Finland being: recognised by all the Powers, to unite all law-abiding citizens in work for the common cause of the country, to bring together.the different parties, and to establish by the'new Parliament a definite form ot govern-' ment. The new Diet is to be elected as soon as possible. The present Parliament will at' once be dissolved. The Government how in office is a coalition one, half being formed of Republicans and half of Monarchists. I may emphasise the fact that we have the greatest desire to enter into amicable relationship with the Allied Powers, and I believe and hope that in this we shall be successful. . During my visits to London and Paris I have had conferences with a number of leading statesmen and politicians, and am delighted at the reception I have had and with the impression that has been made npon me, and I sincerely hope that we shall soon achieve our aim of entering into .the best relationship with our friend. It i 9 also a part of my policy, as it is the real wish of the country, to conclude a rapproohement with our Scandinavian 'neighbours, as I hold it to bo most necessary for all the Baltic States to enjoy a olo3'e relationship with one another. In the case of the Aaland Islands, Finland desires to arrive at an understanding .with Sweden which.shall be satisactory alike to both countries. I am convinced that if Sweden and Finland'come together ■with a'real desire to arrive at a solution, this..will, be possible; but should .the two parties, or either party, not pursue a conciliatory policy, I fear that the matter will not be settled, but will become a soui;ce of great and serious complication. We hope also to enter into good relationship with the real Russia, which I am sure must emerge from the present chaos. In the meantime Finland, in spite of. her own privation and hardship, is happy to be able to open her frontiers to Russian refugees and to accord them hospitality. As to the internal conditions, the fact must not be lost sight of that we are in great need of food. I am happy to say that the Allies are very favourably considering this matter, and that an arrangement has been made .for regular monthly'shipments of food for our people. . I believe (continued the General, in reply to a further question) tl:at all Gorman, troops are now Finland. Last October there were only some 3000 left, and most of these have now certainly been evacuated. By the 17th inst all the German instructors formerly employed in the Finnish Army will return to Germany, and a few days ago, in view of the altered conditions, the commercial ■ treaty which was concluded' between Finland and Germany was cancelled. In conclusion the Regent said: France has already recognised the independence of Finland, but none of the other Allies las yet done so. This is a matter of the greatest importance, for such recognition would help very largely the new Finnish Government in its policy of friendship towards the Allies. It would have a' very great effect if they could say that all tlio Entente Powers would recognise our independence.