AMERICAN SENTIMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 October 1939, Page 5

AMERICAN SENTIMENT

The State Department in Washington in a statement yesterday said that no diplomatic approaches have 'yet been made to Russia. The diplomats of interested Powers said the situation is too delicate to discuss. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says Finland’s absorption by Russia would cause a wave of resentment in the United States that would be greater than that at the overrunning of Poland. The “New York Times,” in an editorial today, says: “In their courageous stand the Finns have the sympathy of all Americans, not only because of their unique record in paying all their debts, but also because in 20 years they have built up a free, sound and enlightened State. No nation in Europe bettei - deserves to survive.” Denmark is expected to join the movement for American mediation. It is not intended as a demand on Russia, but only as a suggestion of moderation in its current discussions with Finland. A DETERMINED NATION The Finnish Foreign Minister, M. Erkko, told the North American Newspaper Alliance that Finland would not sign a dictated agreement incompatible with her independence, integrity and neutrality. Finland was jealous of these because she was historically, geographically and nationally a unit. She was ready to protect herself and her rights against any aggression with all the means available to the united nation. Finland’s relations with Sweden, as well as the whole of Scandinavia were at this moment stronger than ever. IMPORTANT DIFFERENCES The “New York Times” Moscow correspondent, Mr G. E. R. Gedye, states it is politically significant that the only persons other than Soviet and Finnish officials to receive the Finnish delegation tonight were the Swedish Minister and his entire staff. ■ The negotiations with Finland are of a very different character to those with the other Baltic States, the correspondent adds. The latter were aware not only that they were helpless but also of certain moral justification. as Russia was without an ice-free port on the Baltic. Finland, despite her population of only 3,500,000, has a well-trained army and also she has largely a marshy frontier, which is unsuitable for rapid military operations. Furthermore, she is assured of strong backing from Sweden, which is capable of putting 650,000 men in the field. However, it should not be suggested that the Finns are coming in truculent spirit. LIMITS ON CONCESSION Although the Finns have resolutely refused to admit it. if proper compensation were offered they might eventually consider a proposal to cede or permit the Soviet to fortify Hough Island and three other small islands far from the Finnish coast dominating the Soviet naval base of Kronstadt. The islands are geographically part of Russia rather than of Finland. Further demands possibly contcm-

plated for bases on the Finnish mainland or cession of the northern corridor at Petsamo would certainly meet with the stoutest opposition. Any demands affecting the Aaland Islands could not be tolerated by Sweden, which miyht well decide in such event to occupy the islands herself. The Finns hope that the demands will be mainly commercial, to which they arc most ready to listen. The Rome radio reports that Finland is ready to make concessions provided she is given equal concessions in the Karelian republic. The former Polish Ambassador in Moscow, on arriving at Helsinki, yesterday, declared that a division of Soviet troops, a large number of tanks, and heavy artillery are massed on the frontier of Russia and Finland. They arc reported to extend eastward to a point about 30 miles from Petsamo. It is expected that 124,000 people, Including 64,000 children, will be evacuated from the capital by today. Ma-chine-guns and anti-aircraft guns are being mounted in all large squares and on rooftops.