GERMANS TO GO

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 56, 4 September 1944, Page 2

GERMANS TO GO

DECISION OF FINNS

PRELIMINARY TO PEACE

(By Tefegranh—Press Association—Copyright.) rrw n- X •,' LONDON, September 2. The Finnish Prime Minister, Hackzell, announced that Germany has been asked to withdraw all troops fr? m FH"»n<l by September 15. He said that Finland made a new approach to Russia just over a week ago and was told that before the Soviet would ?# rry ?? talks Finland must demand the withdrawal of German troops. "We have now taken the first step towards a return to peace. We don't know what terms the Russians will impose but they have .not demanded unconditional surrender," said Hackzell in a broadcast to the people of Finland. lTh? l ecision means a sacrifice the extent of which we do not know, but no sacrifice is too great for our country. The military and political situation made it necessary for us to try to find a solution. The situation was not so bad as it was in April, but after the Russian offensive in June our forces had to withdraw. "The military situation also became worse for Germany. Germany has to use all her available forces for the defence of the homeland. v "Everyone who has closely followed the development of the atmosphere in German official circles observed that many well-informed persons no longer hoped for victory, but were striving for a political decision. Therefore, a new phase has begun in GermanFinnish relations. MILITARY AGREEMENT. "The German-Finnish agreement was military, not political. Germany wanted us to remain at war with Russia, but it was not possible for Germany to give us sufficient help. Ryti was personally responsible for the agreement, which is no longer valid. "The Government, in view of the j changed, military situation and of the 1 people's desire for peace, again approached Russia on August 25 and asked whether she was prepared to receive a Finnish armistice .delegation. The Russian envoy in Stockholm on August 28 handed the Finnish envoy the Russian reply with the comment that Russia and Britain had together agreed to this ■ reply, which had also been communicated to the Americans for their approval. "Russia demanded that Finland should officially announce the break-1 ing-off of relations with Germany, and demand from Germany the "withdrawal j of her troops from Finnish territory within two weeks or by September 15 at the latest. Provided Finland conforms to these preliminary conditions, Russia is prepared to receive a Finnish delegation in Moscow to negotiate an armistice or peace. "I know among our % people there are many who are not ready for the decision reached today, and many who build too great hopes on this decision. It is now our duty to support the President, Field-Marshal Mannerheim, who is in a better posir tion than anyone else to judge the present political and military situation. "After carefully considering the matter, he chose the way we have taken."