FINLAND & SOVIET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 November 1939, Page 5

FINLAND & SOVIET

DIFFICULT SITUATION CREATED BY MOLOTOV’S DISCLOSURE OF NEGOTIATIONS. VIOLATION OF AGREEMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON. November 1. ’l'lie Helsinki correspondent, of the British United Press states that Al. Molotov’s speech created a sensation, as it is held to have violated an agreement that neither side should reveal the contents of the matters negotiated. The (lovernrnent is now considering what stops shall be taken in view of the Soviet’s demands being made public.

A Washington report states that President Roosevelt, at a Press conference, declined to comment on M Molotov's charges of interference in Russian-Finnish affairs.

The Finnish Cabinet met immediately after M Molotov’s speech, a radio message states. In an official statement it said that M Molotov's speech has created a new and very difficult situation by disclosing the Soviet’s demands just as the Finnish delegation was leaving for Moscow. The statement added that it was too early as yet to say whether M Molotov's speech would affect Finland's attitude. Finland was trying to seek a solution of the issues without pressure from outside. She had tried to meet Russia's attempt to obtain security without risking her own. The Finnish Cabinet concluded by reiterating its hope that the non-ag-gression treaty between Finland and Russia, signed in 1922, respecting the frontiers of both countries, would be strictly observed.

It is reported that the Finnish Government's first reaction to the speech was to recall the delegation which was on its way to Moscow, the attitude being taken that M Molotov had thrown out a veiled hint that if Finland did not meet the Russian demands it would be harmful to the cause of peace. This decision was later cancelled and the delegation is proceeding. The Finnish Foreign Minister in a statement said the primary danger, now that Russia had made known her demands, was that Soviet prestige would be involved. Finnish military experts say that the Russian proposal for demilitarisation of the frontier would abolish Finland’s strong line of defences. DEMANDS DETAILED CONCEDED ONLY IN PART BY FINLAND. RUSSIAN PREMIER'S THREAT. LONDON. November 1. M._Molotov, in his speech, detailed as follow the Russian demands on Finland:— (1) Readjustments of the border northward of Leningrad. (2) The use of an area near the entrance to the Gulf of Finland as a Soviet naval base. (3) The exchange of certain islands in the Gulf of Finland for territory in Sovie Karelia. (4) The disarming of certain fortified zones along the Soviet-Finnish frontier. (5) A Soviet-Finnish non-aggression pact. (6) The development of Soviet-Fin-nish economic relations. M. Molotov declared that as Finland would only concede part of what Russia demanded the Soviet subsequently modified its proposals but he added, “If the Finns continued their failure to meet the Soviet requirements it would be harmful both to the cause of peace and the Finns themselves.”

ANXIETY IN FINLAND

FINAL EFFORT TO REACH SETTLEMENT. (Received This Day. 11.10 a.m.) HELSINKI. November 1. A Foregin Office spokesman, after making contact with the Government at the border, said the delegation had decided to continue to Moscow, where it will negotiate until the last hope of reaching a settlement fades. The delegation desired to avoid the possibility of Russia claiming that Finland had disrupted the conversations. Helsinki for the first time is really excited. The general opinion is that Moscow's claims are not acceptable because the country’s security is threatened.