DRIVE IN FINLAND DELAYED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20114, 7 December 1939, Page 7

DRIVE IN FINLAND DELAYED

SUPERIOR NUMBERS DISCOUNTED INVADERS SMOTHER RADIO REMINDER • LENIN CREED NOT NOW PROPITIOUS FORCIBLE ANNEXATION CONDEMNED (Elec. Tel. Copyright.—United Press Assn.) (liecd. Dec. 6, 2.45 p.m.) LONDON, Deo. 5. All the available information indicates that it is premature to expect anything in the nature of a major Russian-Finnish engagement, inasmuch as neither side has taken up positions from which they will eventually . give battle. Both are experiencing difficulty in moving artillery. The Finns claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on the Russians in the Salmijarvi district yesterday, but do not give particulars as to the number killed or wounded. Despatches from Soviet correspondents reflect . Russian annoyance with the Fabian tactics of the defenders in avoiding decisive contests. These tactics seem to have definitely delayed the advance ot the invading forces, despite the Russian superiority in .tanks and mechanised vehicles. Messages front Helsinki state that the city remains quiet. Supplies arc ample and are being distributed effectively. The Swedish Royal family lias given the Red Cross £ISOO. The reported jamming of a Finnish broadcast at the point when the announcer recalled the policy laid down by Lenin for dealing with Finland causes little surprise in London. That policy ran entirely counter to the present Soviet action. Writing in the Soviet journal, Pravda, on May 15, 1917, Lenin described the relation of Finland to Russia, stating that the Czar and others were against agreement with the Finnish Diet. They wanted to subjugate Finland to Russia. The class-conscious proletariats and the Russian Social Democrats, true to their programme, were for the freedom of Finland as well as of other non-Sovcreign nationalities, stated Lenin. Finland was annexed by the Russian Tsars through a deal with Napoleon. “As we are really against annexations, we must come out openly for Finland’s freedom,” continued Stalin. “After we have said it and practised it, then and only then will agreement with Finland become really voluntary, a free /aid true agreement and not a deception. Comrades, workers and peasants, do not be carried away by annexationist policy of the Russian capitalists concerning Finland, Corn*]and and the Ukraine. Do not fear to recognise the right of these peoples to independence.”

The Rome correspondent of Ihe British United Press says that the Italian police without difficulty controlled further pro-Finnish demonstrations in Rome and Milan.