REGARDING RUSSIAN DEMANDS ON FINLAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 October 1939, Page 5

REGARDING RUSSIAN DEMANDS ON FINLAND

Optimistic Anticipations in Helsinki SOVIET DESIGNS ON GULF ISLANDS DENIED RELIANCE ON EXISTING TREATIES (By Telegraph. —Press Association. —Copyright.) LONDON, October 16. A Helsinki message says it is now revealed that representatives of the Finnish Nazi Party (members ol the “Lapuan” movement) recently went to Berlin to put the . Finnish case before Herr Hitler, but it is said they returned crestfallen: having seen neither Herr Hitler nor Herr von Ribbentrop, but only a minor official, who told them that while Herr Hitler sympathised with their case Finnish interests were now outside the German sphere. Reports from Moscow receivefl in Copenhagen stale that Russia is demanding from Finland the cession of certain islands in the Gulf of Finland, a pledge not to fortify the Aaland Islands and the conclusion of a military pact. There is also* a fourth demand, the nature of which is not known. The Finnish Minister in New York', M. Hjalmar Procope, in a broadcast, said: “Finland wants friendly relations with Russia, and Germany. She will not surrender her vital rights and sign an agreement incompatible with her independence, neutrality and integrity.” Radio reports state that optimism .that a satisfactory settlement will be effected in the Russo-Finnish negotiations exists in Helsinki. The Finnish delegate was expected to arrive in Helsinki yesterday, and is due to return to Moscow in a few days. It is reported in Helsinki that no indication of the proposals has been received, and reports that have been published abroad are .contrary to fact. This is taken to refer to the suggestions of Russian designs on islands in the Gulf of Finland. In an interview with Danish newspaper correspondents, the President of Finland, M. Kallio, said that Finnish neutrality with Russia was based on three factors. They were the peace treaty of 1920, the non-aggression pact of 1932 and another pact in 1933 in which the word aggression was defined. “We hope that Russia will respect these treaties,” he said. He added that the principles involved had been emphasised by Russia at various international conferences. A Rome radio report states that the Soviet forces to be stationed in the three Baltic States will total 70,000, of which 20,000 will enter Estonia on October 18 for the naval and air bases, with 5000 following later. The garrison in Latvia will number 25,000, and in Lithuania 20,000.