RUSSIAN SWAY IN BALTIC

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20067, 13 October 1939, Page 7

RUSSIAN SWAY IN BALTIC

URGING SPEEDY END TO WAR

FINLAND’S HOPES OF INTERVENTION

REPORTED U.S.A. REQUEST TO MOSCOW

DIFFERENCES AMONG NAZI LEADERS

(Elec. Tel. Copyright-United Press Assn.) (Reed. October 13, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, October 12. * - The Washington correspondent of the United Press of America reports that it is authoritatively stated that |he United States Government is expressing to the Soviet “its earnest hope that nothing will occur to ailect injuriously the peaceful relations between the Soviet and Finland.”

It is explained that the action of the United States is unilateral and entirely independent and without similar representations from other Powers. The American Ambassador in Moscow, Mr. Steinhardt, visited the Kremlin to-day and saw the Soviet Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, M. Molotov.

Stockholm reports that alarmed by Russia’s strides towards domination of the Baltic, the Scandinavian Powers are urging Britain and France speedily to halt the war. The evacuation of Finnish cities continues. The “protection corps” now numbers 100,000 but it is emphasised that this assembly does not constitute mobilisation. A message from Helsinki states that the Finnish Foreign Minister, M. Erkko, will broadcast to America to-morrow, begging the United States to intervene to stay Russia’s hand The Finns are bewildered by the rapid march of events and have been clinging to the desperate hope that Scandinavian and American interests may act as a brake on the Soviet’s ambitions. Britain’s Attitude Appreciated The Finnish newspapers express deep appreciation of Britain’s attitude, but active assistance from Britain is not expected. A message received by the North American Newspaper Alliance quotes M. Erkko, as stating that- Finland would not sign a dictated agreement incompatible with her independence, integrity and neutrality. Finland was jealous of these because she was historically, geographically and nationally a unit with all the means available to a united nation. Finland’s relations with Sweden, as well as the whole of Scandinavia, at this moment were stronger than ever. Mr. P. J. Philip, a correspondent of the New York Times in Paris, says it is known that there are serious differences between Herr Hitler’s advisers and the German High Command over the happenings in the Baltic States. “Sympathy in many places in Germany seems to-side with Finland,” continues the correspondent. “Germany has lost control of the whole of the eastern Baltic, as well as the immediate hope of access to the Black Sea and those places the Fuehrer promised his countrymen. She is hemmed in in the east more firmly than at any time since Imperial Germany was defeated.”