SOVIET REPLY
PARLEY, REFUSED LEAGUE REBUFFED POSITION OF FINLAND MOSCOW RETICENCE i PUBLIC NOT TOLD PROBLEM FOR GENEVA (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 13, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 12. The Paris radio has announced that the Rqssian reply received at Geneva to the League note concerning Finland is of a negative nature. The British delegation at Geneva learns that the Soviet Government has sent a reply to telegrams sent it from Geneva yesterday and that the text of the telegram is as follows: “The Soviet Government thanks you, Mr. President, for the kind invitation to take part in discussions of the Finnish question. At the same time the Soviet Government informs you that the Soviet is not in a position to accept this invitation for reasons given in the telegram of December 4 from the Commissariat of Foreign Affairs sent in reply to a communication from the Secretary-General of the League.” Censure by Committee The special committee at Geneva adjourned after adopting a report to the Assembly which is believed to include condemnation of Russia as an aggressor, but it is not suggested what steps should be taken by the League. A unanimous vote of the Council would be required to expel Russia. China is seeking a seat and might oppose Russia’s expulsion. Consequently it is reported that the Assembly will elect only three new members instead of five Until the Russo-Finnish question is finalised. Those to be elected would be South Africa, Bolivia and either Finland or Portugal. The Russo-Finnish committee decided to give the Soviet until 10 a.m. on Wednesday to reply to the League’s telegram because of the uncertainty about the time of Moscow’s receipt of the League’s message. > Ten a.m. is the time fixed for the public session of the full Assembly. If the Russian reply were not received, the first speaker, probably the Argentine delegate, Senor Freyre, would demand Russia’s expulsion. According to an agency message from Moscow received in London this evening, the public in the Soviet has not been informed of the League of Nations proceedings on the Finnish appeal. i
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20120, 14 December 1939, Page 7
Word Count
350SOVIET REPLY Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20120, 14 December 1939, Page 7
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