GLOOMY OUTLOOK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 October 1939, Page 5

GLOOMY OUTLOOK

SOVIET AND THE BALTIC STATES « NEW CHAPTER IN HISTORY OPENED. ESTONIA’S SUBMISSION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, September 30. The Russian Parliament today ratified the Soviet-Estonian Pact, states a message from Moscow. The Helsinki correspondent of the “New York Times” says that the implications of the Soviet advance in Estonia are fully realised and are regarded as having changed the relations between Finland, Latvia and Sweden and the Soviet Union. The outlook, therefore, is most gloomy. A new chapter has been opened in Baltic history. It is admitted that at least the North Baltic is under Soviet hegemony, increasing the dangers to Finland. The Soviet controls the entire south side of the Gulf of Finland and is pushing her fortifications closer to j Finland's main outlet to the sea. It is clear that Germany has'sacrificed all means of influencing developments in the North Baltic. The “New York Times” Tallinn correspondent says informed circles state that M Molotov has abandoned his more severe terms to Estonia, including the occupation of Tallinn and the stationing of Soviet troops throughout the country, owing to the discussions with and suggestions from Herr von Ribbentrop and M Stalin. The prospect was once so dark that the army leaders were inclined to propose general mobilisation, but they were dissuaded on the understanding that this would bring an immediate invasion. The army’s deficiency in antiaircraft strength influenced the capitulation. , . „ . . It is stated here that Baltic Port is not being evacuated, since the Soviet, is building a new port beside the existing harbour. The Estonians are more cheerful and of the opinion that the treaty opens up possibilities of developing the export trade to the west via Murmansk. It is even asserted that Estonia’s exports with the combatant nations can be continued. The President of Estonia, M Konstantin Pats, in a broadcast speech declared that Estonia’s peaceful submission to the Soviet’s demands spared the nation a hopeless struggle and assured the maintenance of complete home and foreign independence.” He praised the spirit of the people in thenreadiness to fight, but these qualities he said were insufficient against Powers equipped with modern machinery. In consequence of the submarine Orzel’s escape, the Commander-in-Chief °f Estonian fleet, Captain Merri has dismissed several leading officers, who will be court-martialled.