THE STUMBLING BLOCK

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 117, 14 November 1939, Page 9

THE STUMBLING BLOCK

SOVIET INSISTENCE

DEMAND FOR A BASE

THE FINNS FIRM

NO WEAKENING OF DEFENCES

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, November 13. Jlie Helsinki correspondent of "The Times" says that the Finnish Foreign Minister,. M. Erjcko, explained that the Finnish delegates in Moscow have n6t seen the Soviet leaders since November 8. He said that if the negotiations were not resumed today the Finnish representatives would probably return immediately. * ■ .--

He emphasised that Finland throughout has been willing to consider concessions considerably strengthening Leningrad's military security, but could not accept proposals weakening Finland's own defence. . It is understood that the most serious stumbling block is the Soviet's demand for a naval base in west Finland. The Moscow correspondent of "The Times" says it is stated that the Soviet Government will be satisfied only by Finland's full acceptance of the Soviet's "minimum demands," which, it is asserted, do not menace Finland's independence or security; otherwise the Soviet will find ways and means of obtaining what she requires. ' The trade union newspaper "Trud" violently attacks the Finnish Governj ment, asking whether it wants to involve, its small country in a,fight with the Soviets 180 millions. A Copenhagen message states that Russia,is not only asking for a naval base at Hanko but also for an inland' air and military base. The Helsinki correspondent of the "Berlingske iTidend" says that.the Finnish delegation offered territory facing Leningrad but that the Soviet was "not satisfied and demanded more. M. Stalin -insisted on Hanko. which the Finns refused even -to discuss.