TRAMPLING FINNISH OUTPOSTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20110, 2 December 1939, Page 7

TRAMPLING FINNISH OUTPOSTS

I ■■ , - STRATEGIC BASES OCCUPIED HELSINKI THRICE BOMBED IN DAY RESIGNATION OF CAJANDER CABINET AUTHORITY TO SEEK ARMISTICE (Elec, Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 1, 3 p.m.) * LONDON, Dee. 1. A message from Helsinki states that the Government of Finland headed by Professor A. lv. Cajander has resigned.. It is believed that the Minister of Finance, M. Tanner, is forming a new Ministry. The Government is reported to have empowered M. Tanner to endeavour to arrange an armistice before 3 a.m. to-morrow. The Finnish Parliament passed a unanimous vote in support of the Government’s policy. The Finnish Minister in London called at the British Foreign Office to-day. It is reported that, overwhelming Russian forces trampled swiftly across the outposts of Finland’s defences and at the end of the first day of the war they were reported to be in occupation of several strategic military bases. Helsinki was bombed three times and was afire at several points to-night. Lumbcrport and Ivotka were also set ablaze by bombs and the civilian populations suffered severe casualties. Gallant Defensive Action Despatches say that the Red Army is advancing rapidly' towards the “Finnish Maginot Line,” 20 miles inside the frontier and is encountering some resistance. The Rod Army is already in possession of a number of frontier posts from which all communication has been cut off. The hard-pressed Finns are fighting a gallant defensive, action in the face of the triple onslaught from sea, land add air. The Soviet fleet has taken up stations and its guns are hammering- shore positions, while bombers are standing by in readiness for mass attacks. The Helsinki correspondent, of the British United Press says he was blown off his feet in an hotel during the second Russian air raid, in which the centre of the capital was bombed. The Russians apparently were aiming at the railway station. The correspondent counted 14 bombs. One wrecked the huge glass dome of the Hotel Torni near the station. One omnibus was struck and many passengers were blown to bits. A message from Stockholm stated that Sweden whose nationals form 11 per cent, of Finland’s population, has recalled its airmen who are liable for military service from neighbouring countries and ordered them to their military j stations. I