FINNS CONFIDENT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20112, 5 December 1939, Page 5

FINNS CONFIDENT

NO SURRENDER GESTURE TO RUSSIA KEEPING INDEPENDENCE MORE SOVIET CLAIMS ißecd. Dec. 5, Noon.) LONDON. Dec. 4. Finnish circles in London feel that the military situation is developing in favour of Finland, whose legation emphasises that her approach to Moscow through the Swedish Minister is no gesture of surrender, since she will not accept the jeopardisation of her independence. The optimism regarding the campaign relies largely on the • frontier of the Karelian isthmus being so narrow that it may be defended by as many soldiers as Russia could deploy in the attack. Already the Russian advance has been stemmed in this area, while elsewhere only guerrilla tactics .can be employed, for which the Finns, who are trained on Skis, from childhood, are notably well prepared. The Russian claim to the occupation of the Hogland, Seiskari, Lavansaari and Tytarsaari Islands after naval battles is derided in London where the “battles" are described as on skis, from childhood, are notably vacant islands. A Moscow communique claii»r that the Red Army continues to advance. The Soviet journal Pravda, reports a large-scale battle near Kronstadt where ,it is claimed the Finns were routed!' The paper asserts that the British are assisting the Finns.