INDEPENDENCE OF FINLAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20068, 14 October 1939, Page 5

INDEPENDENCE OF FINLAND

MESSAGES SENT TO MOSCOW EMPHATIC HELSINKI DECLARATION DOMINATION WOULD BE RESISTED SINISTER INFLUENCES IN RUSSIA (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. October 14, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 13. A Paris message'quotes official radio reports stating that the Russia n-Finnish talks at Moscow lasted for an hour last night. It. is understood that the Soviet demands at present have not been fully stated, but ,the basis apparently is the cession to the Soviet of a small island at the entrance to the Gulf of Finland and territory in the Karelian forest. A Copenhagen report says that the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs announced that the Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Ministers in Moscow had separately sent notes to the Soviet Government urging respect for Finland’s independence. Tlu* Finnish Foreign Minister. M. Erkko, broadcasting, said that Finland’s precautionary measures did not mean that she had given up the will to peace, but were meant to show that Finland could not submit to outside interference, making her international and political activity dependent on something other than her own free will. Three Hundred Thousand Under Arms. The Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press says it is authoritatively stated that Finland now has 300,000 men under arms. This is virtually the full strength of the Finnish Army, but it is estimated that another 150,000 volunteers could be mobilised if necessary. The city of Helsinki was almost deserted overnight. Virtually half the population has departed. Even open cattle trucks were utilised ,to carry the evacuees. The Moscow correspondent of the New York Times, Mr. G. E. R. Gedye, says that Russia and Finland have both taken military precautionary measures similar to those adopted by Other European countries frequently during ,the last 20 yearswithout clashing, but the Scandinavian countries are satisfied that the non-Russian forces in Moscow are seeking to increase” Russian-Scandinavian tension and are also spreading premature reports of excessive Russian demands in the hope of creating a situation in which Russia will lose face by moderating whatever demands that may he contemplated. “The motive of .this is said to be to provoke Russian-Scan-dinavian conflict and to bring Russia more actively on Germany’s side against the Western Powers,” states the corrcspendent. The news of the Anglo-Soviet trade agreement has intensified the efforts to provoke a conflict with the Scandinavian countries Which, it is believed, would he certain to involve Russia in the war with Britain and France.”