VIOLENT PRESS ATTACK IN MOSCOW

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20094, 14 November 1939, Page 7

VIOLENT PRESS ATTACK IN MOSCOW

REMINDER OF RUSSIA'S MILLIONS

Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 14, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON. Nov

Following his announcement that the, Soviet -Finnish talks in Moscow had reached a stale oi deadlock', the Finnish Foreign Minister, M. Krkko explained in Helsinki yesterday that the Finnish delegates in Moscow had not seen the Soviet leaders since Wednesday. If the negotiations were not resumed to-dav, they would probably return immediately.

He emphasised that Finland throughout was willing to consider concessions that would considerably strengthen the military security of Leningrad, Imt she could not: accept proposals weakening Finland’s own defence.

The Finnish Foreign Office announced in Helsinki to-day t hat the negotiations with the Soviet had been suspended and that the delegation was leaving Moscow to-night.

It is understood that the most serious stumbling block was the Soviet demand for a naval base in the west of Finland.

Soviet’s Minimum Demands,

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, Trucl, violently attacks the Finnish Government, asking whether it wants to involve its small country in a fight with the Soviet’s 180,000,000. A Copenhagen message quotes .the Helsinki correspondent of the Berlingske Tidendes who states that Russia is not only asking for a naval base at Han go, but also an inland air and military base. The correspondent adds that the Finnish delegation offered territory facing Leningrad, but the Soviet was not satisfied and demanded more. M. Stalin insisted on Ilango, which the Finns refused even to discuss.