SOVIET ACCUSING FINLAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20106, 28 November 1939, Page 7

SOVIET ACCUSING FINLAND

PROVOCATION BY TROOPS ALLEGED

WITHDRAWAL FROM FRONTIER ASKED

CONCENTRATION DEEMED A THREAT

(Elec. Tel. Copyright.—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 28, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 27. A communique issued in Moscow to-dav accused the Finns of firing seven shells across the frontier near Mainil. killing' four and wounding nine Soviet troops, including officers. The communique states: “This act of provocation caused tremendous indignation among the troops.” The Soviet Prime Minister, M. Molotov, protested to Finland against ,the shelling incident and demanded the withdrawal of Finnish troops in the Karelian Isthmus to a distance of twelve and a half miles from the frontier. He added that the Soviet did not wish to exaggerate the importance of the incident.

The Moscow correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that M. Molotov’s note was handed to the Finnish Ambassador. It states: “The Soviet does not intend to allow itself to be provoked. The Soviet has already drawn the attention of Finland to the fact that the concentration of such large numbers of regular troops on the frontier is dangerous. “Threat to Leningrad” “The concentration means a threat to Leningrad and a hostile act against the Soviet which has now resulted in victims. “Such incidents must not be repeated. Consequently, the Government recommends the Finnish Government to withdraw her troops immediately 20 to 25 kilometres from the border to prevent further provocations. ’ ’ The Moscow radio reports that mass meetings of protest against the “Finnish provocations” were summoned for to-day in factories and workshops throughout the Soviet. The Moscow press and radio continue to accuse Finland of hostile activity. The radio reports a heightening of public indignation against Finland. Thousands of workers in towns and villages throughout ,the country are said to be passing resolutions condemning the Finnish rulers. One Red Army official declared that the Finnish military authorities had begun a dangerous game. If necessary, Russia would administer the lesson deserved.

The Helsinki correspondent of the Daily Mail says it is understood that the Finnish Government has emphatically refused to .withdraw the troops from the border. An official spokesman said that in .no ease could there be unilateral withdrawal of troops from, the Finnish-Soviet frontier. lie added that there was no proof of shooting from the Finnish sidle, but there was knowledge of firing from the Soviet side. A further message from Helsinki says that the Finnish Foreign Office states that inquiries reveal that no shots were fired on the Finnish side of the frontier, and adds that Soviet troops have been exercising with mortars on the Russian side. Finnish Premier's Denial The Helsinki correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says the Finnish Prime Minister, Professor Cajander, denied any shooting by the Finns on the eastern frontier. The Finnish Foreign Office spokesman suggested that the Russians might have been killed accidentally and the blame placed on Finland. The Finnish Minister, M. Erkko, reported to-day on Helsinki that all was quiet on the Russian-Finnish frontier. He added: “We have done nothing. Orders have been circulated to the commanders of the Finnish frontier forces to keep calm in the face of the grossest provocation during the Russian-Finnish tension.”

A Havas Agency message received in Paris from Leningrad reports that several persons were killed in Soviet territory during artillery practice in Finland. The Moscow correspondent of the New York Times, Mr, 0. E. R. Crcdye, states that the Russian-Finnish situation is very grave but if, as reported, the Finns can explain the frontier incident as an accident occurring in the course of artillery practice, the Soviet note appears to be moderate, indicating there is no intention of moving against Finland.