FINNS GRATEFUL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 October 1939, Page 5

FINNS GRATEFUL

AMERICAN & SCANDINAVIAN LEGATIONS MASSED CHOIRS SING OUTSIDE LEGATIONS. STALIN’S REPORTED ASSURANCE. HENSINKI, October 29. Massed choirs led a crowd of 100,000 outside the American Legation on Sunday singing “The Star Spangled Banner” and the Finnish national anthem. The United States Minister appeared on the balcony and acknowledged speeches of gratitude for American support. The crowd sang similarly outside the Scandinavian legations. A reported statement by M Stalin that Russia does not intend any encroachment on Finland’s independence, has f>een received in Finland with great appreciation, a radio message reports. AGAIN TO MOSCOW REPORTED FINAL ANSWER. NO' RUSSIAN BASES ON FINNISH SOIL. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) HELSINKI, October 30. It is officially announced that a Finnish delegation is going to Moscow tomorrow evening. The final answer is understood to be that Russia needs no naval and air base on Finnish soil. The Finnish counter-proposals to Moscow are reported to include a reminder that the Russo-Finnish NonAggression Pacts require disputes to be submitted to a fnixed tribunal for arbitration. The civic authorities at Helsinki thanked Captain Hugh Sladen and his wife, who is a grand-daughter of General Booth, for the splendid work of the Salvation Army during the crisis. Contributions continue to pour in for the Finnish Red Cross, including gifts from the Crown Princess of Sweden and her sisters. The chairman of the Finnish Olympic Committee stated that Finland does not intend to give up the Olympic Games.