APPEAL TO WAR BY FINLAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20086, 4 November 1939, Page 5

APPEAL TO WAR BY FINLAND

WARNING OF FATE OF POLAND

HELSINKI HOPES OF PEACEFUL TREATY

SCANDINAVIA LOOKING TO STOCKHOLM

ADROIT EXPLOITATION BY GERMANY

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 4, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. :!

A report from Moscow says that the resumption oL the Soviet-Finnish negotiations was delayed owing to the meeting of the Supreme Soviet Council.

The Moscow radio in a morning' bulletin to-day ([noted at length the declaration by the paper Pravda, that the Finnish Minister, Dr. Erkko, had followed up the speech given by the Soviet Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, M. Molotov, with what was in fact an appeal to war against Russia. “Although eonimonsense should have obliged the Finns to come to an arrangement with the Soviet, some of the Finnish leaders do not Want a treaty,” declared the Soviet journal. “A section of the Finnish press is distorting the Soviet aims. Finland’s precautions are taken only by countries preparing for war. Dr. Erkko delivered a direct threat against Russia. The .Polish Minister, Colonel Beck, recently spoke in the same spirit and by the same methods provoked \v;ar with Germany. The Powers on whom Finland is relying provoked the present war and tried to involve us. These same Powers provoked Poland to march into war.” Willing to Make Concessions. The Moscow correspondent of the New York Times, Air. G. E, R. Gedye, stated yesterday that apparently Finland was now willing to cede to Russia Bogland and other islands off Kronstadt and also territory in the extreme north of Finland, but she would fight rather than lease Hanko as a Soviet base. “Despite the threats by M. Molotov, the Finns seem to believe that the Soviet recognises the concessions offered by the Finns are generous and that Russia will conclude a peaceful agreement,” continued the correspondent.

“Everyone is looking toward Sweden. It is felt that a definite decision by Sweden to maintain, in all circumstances, the solidarity of the Scandinavian bloc would stabilise the situation and avert the possibility of a conflict. Without Denmark, the Scandinavians could mobilise 1,000,000 men. “Germany is adroitly exploiting the situation, blackmailing- ,the Scandinavians into supporting the campaign against the British blockade, but it is hardly likely that the Scandinavians will be impressed by Germany’s ability to restrain Russia,”

A message from Helsinki states that the contributions to the Finnish defence loan totalled £2,380,000, exceeding all expectations.