DRIVEN BACK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20132, 29 December 1939, Page 7

DRIVEN BACK

MIGHT OF RUSSIA INFERIOR ARMIES OUTCLASSED BY FINNS TRIBUTES IN LONDON PERTINENT QUERIES , HELPING RESISTANCE (Eli‘C. Till. Copyright—United Tress Assn.) (British Oflicinl Wireless.) Reed. 11.30 a.m. RUGBY, Dec. 28. The progress of operations in the Russo-Finnish conflict are being closely studied in London and the newspapers agreed that in everything but numbers—strategy, tactics, efficiency in weapons and individual fighting power—the Finns have proved themselves superior to the invaders. The Times says: “What three weeks ago appeared to be the impossible has come to pass. After intense, continuous fighting the Russian invaders of Finland have met with a definite reverse. ' Even those who knew most about the high standard of training and valour of the Finnish Army, even those who doubted most strongly whether bolshevism had succeeded in turning the brave but clumsy Russian soldier of tradition into the military superman depicted on the growing propagandist page, had not ventured to hope for such a series of victories. “Outmanoeuvred and outfought, decimated by the rigours of a winter for which they were not equipped, though in no doubt as to its nature, the Russians are now almost everywhere back upon the positions which they gained in the first week’s onrush. Bully’s Weapon “In revenge they have chosen the feast of Christinas to resort once more to the bully’s weapon, which signally failed them at first—bombing by aero plane. “Meanwhile, what is civilisation doing to aid this outpost standing under the menace of barbarism? It is somewhat melancholy, if entirely natural, that among the States which are neutral in the greater war ai present in progress, the warmest response to the appeal of the League ol Nations to its members has seemed to come from those far from the scene of action, whose help will not be able to reach it for' a considerable time.

“It is, indeed, right that those who cannot bring swift succour should, none the less, make ready to bring it when they can, because this may be a long drawn out struggle. It is none the less urgent that the greatest possible measure of assistance should be provided in the shortest possible time.

Prepared to Do Much

"Sweden and Norway, despite the fully-justified anxiety regarding their own position have already accomplished a good deal and are prepared to do much more. The United States have helped generously.

“Britain and France have gone so far as to release certain munitibns and supplies earmarked for the use of their own armies. The South African Government is releasing aeroplanes that had been intended for the defence of the Union’

“All that these friends of liberty can do will not be too much. There is ample room, too, for private beneficlence. If Finland can be saved, more than Finnish liberty will be preserved. Her salvation would be a triumph foi liberty which would reach throughout the wbrld.”