DEEP SYMPATHY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20110, 2 December 1939, Page 5

DEEP SYMPATHY

BRITISH FEELING VICTIM OF AGGRESSION GERMANY’S SILENCE PUBLIC NOT INFORMED PROFOUND MISGIVING (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 10.50 a.m. RUGBY. Dec. 1. The development of the situation following upon the Russian invasion of Finland is being studied in London with close attention. Press reports are conflicting in certain details, but there is no attempt to minimise the gravity of the view taken in authoritative quarters. The deep regret at the Soviet action expressed in the House of Commons yesterday by the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain and- his measured and unambiguous condemnation of the aggressor are echoed throughout the national and provincial press, which expresses the deepest sympathy with the latest victim of yet another demonstration that, in the eyes of the despotisms of central and eastern Europe, a small nation possesses no rights save those which it can assert bv the force of its own arms or those of its friends. Friends of Finland “The friends of Finland, says The Times, “must at this moment include all the free nations of the world, but geography has set this gallant people in the recesses of the Baltic, where they are directly unapproachable by any great Power except the two representatives of brute force.” Throughout the press there is inevitable comment on the similarity of the technique adopted by Russia in regard to Finland with that of Germany towards Czechoslovakia and Poland. In authoritative circles in London tiie view is expressed that the Nazi technique has merely pointed the way. This new unjustifiable act of aggression, it is affirmed, would have been impossible without German acquiescence. Reluctant Acquiescence It is considered inconceivable that a few months ago when the Soviet and German policies were apparently in conflict Germany would have permitted an invasion of Finland, for whose independence she was largely responsible and whose civilisation has much in common with her own. That she acquisces now with reluctance, and that the Nazi Government fears an unfavourable public reaction is suggested by the fact that all reference to the invasion was yesterday excluded from the German pressCredence is given in informed circles to reports in neutral newspapers that military and naval circles in feerlin regard the Soviet action will) profound misgiving.