BITTER BROADCAST AT MOSCOW

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20109, 1 December 1939, Page 11

BITTER BROADCAST AT MOSCOW

TIRADE RENEWED BY MOLOTOV SOVIET’S “PATIENT” SECURITY TALKS TALE OF “ABOMINABLE” PROVOCATION ALLEGED FEAR FOR SAFETY OF CITY fe (Elec. Tel. Copyright.—United Press Assn.) (Received Nov. 30, 2.50 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 29. Messages from Helsinki state that the news that Russia had broken off relations with Finland and recalled her ambassador caused a sensation in the capital. The Cabinet was summoned at midnight. Reports from Moscow state that Finland’s reply to the previous Russian note had not reached the Soviet Foreign Office when M. Potemkin summoned the Finnish Ambassador and informed him that diplomatic relations had been broken oft’. Immediately afterwards the Soviet Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, M. Molotov, in a broadcast speech, stated: “The hostile policy of the present Finnish Government compels us to take steps to-safeguard the external security of our State. The Red Army and Navy must be prepared tor all eventualities. ‘ 1 Irrconcilable ’ ’ Attitude “The Soviet patiently negotiated certain proposals which provided the minimum guarantee of safety for. our country, particularly Leningrad, in view of the international tension, but Finland adopted an irreconcilable attitude and acted in the interests of foreign imperialists and warmongers. Despite all our concessions the negotiations proved to be without result. “There has been abominable provocation by the Finnish military on the frontier. Our soldiers have been heavily shelled by artillery near Leningrad and suffered heavy casualties. Efforts to prevent a repetition of the provocation met with no response. They even evoked a hostile attitude on tic part of Finnish official circles.” ' IC. M. Molotov denounced the Finnish Government and declared that the dispute must-be settled by the Soviet with the • friendly co-operation of the Finnish people.