GRIM CALL FOR CAPITULATION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20112, 5 December 1939, Page 7

GRIM CALL FOR CAPITULATION

THOUSANDS LEAVE CITIES AND TOWNS FREEZING HOMES AS CHECK TO FIRE FINLAND’S PLEA FOR AID OF LEAGUE (Elee. Tel. Copyright.— United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dee. 4, 2.50 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 3. Messages from Helsinki state that the Finnish capital is steeling itself for a new aerial attack following th « « of Russian leaflets yesterday threatening tha l * would raze the city unless Finland capitulated. K _ ?. however, are heartened by the excellent pevlormanccs o Finland’s small though efficient air force which has augmented during the last few days by the arrival ol ou Italian planes which were ordered before the outbreak ot vai. The British Legation in Helsinki to-day advised British subjects to leave Finland. Hundreds of thousands of people are streaming out- of the cities and towns of southern Finland as a ol a Government order for immediate evacuation which it is hoped to complete to-day. The exodus began overnight Evetyoe not needed for essential work and maintaining public secui it} has been ordered to leave. By last night a total of 230,000 persons had departed from Helsinki. Householders were ordered, before leaving to pour water inside and outside of their dwellings and leave it to freeze with the object of minimising the effect oi incendiary bombs. View of Trades Unions The evacuation of Germans from Helsinki was completed this morning. Members of the Soviet Legation vcit aso taken off in a German vessel. The Social Democrat Party and trade union organisation at Helsinki has issued a proclamation supporting the new Government of Finland headed by Dr. Risto Ryti which has the sole right to represent the Finnish people.” It Russia did not recognise the desire of the Finnish working class tor peace there was nothing left for the workers except, to fight against force. "While M. Tanner at Helsinki issued a statement .to the nation: “We are fighting for the defence of all Western culture and I think should receive not, only sympathy but effective help from the rest of the world.” M. Aveuol at Geneva summoned the League Council to meet at noon on Saturday next. ITc asked Mr. deValera to summon the Assembly, ot which Mr. deValera is president, for December 11. “Terminate This Aggression” Finland’s appeal to the League, which was signed by M. Rudolf Holsti, the delegate and former Foreign Minister, outlined the Russian-Finnish relations since 1930 and concluded: “I request that you ask the League Council and Assembly to take the necessary measures to terminate this aggression.” A delicate situation will be avoided since M. Maisky’s presidency of the League Council terminates automatically when the council meets. A Belgian will succeed lnm. A Washington message states that Finland has replied to President Roosevelt’s appeal on Thursday, stating- that she will not bomb civilians if her opponents do not. Russia did not reply.