SERIOUS WARNING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 November 1939, Page 5

SERIOUS WARNING

SOUNDED BY FINNISH FOREIGN MINISTER

Resistance to Russian Demands

INCONSISTENT WITH NEUTRALITY

PEOPLE MUST BE READY TO THROW ALL INTO SCALE

“There are limits of compliance for every nation, even a small one, ami values that cannot be sacrificed,” said the Finnish Foreign Minister, Al. Erkko, yesterday, commenting' on the references made to Finland in the speech by the Russian Prime Minister, Al. Molotov, a Daventry broadcast reports. _ 1 Finland knew which, way she had to choose, he said, and he warned the Finns that they must be ready to throw into the scale all they had. Criticising Al. Alolotov for making' public the questions under discussion without first consulting the other party, thus producing a peculiar atmosphere, AL Erkko said that Al. Alolotov had described only the Soviet position. During the negotiations Russia had declared her approval of Finland’s neutral policy. From this he argued that Finland must do nothing to endanger that neutrality, or east any doubts on it. But to give any Power a protectorate over any part of Finland would'do exactly that. Finland could not accept any settlement, which prevented her safeguarding her neutrality. Al. Erkko added that if a third Power tried to attack Russia from Finland. Finland, as a neutral,' would be obliged to use all her means to prevent this. Finland’s treaties with Russia, were still in force, but what guarantee was there that, any new treaties would be respected .' In conclusion Al. Erkko denied that Finland was acting under pressure from any outside Power. A Moscow message states that the Finnish delegation has arrived.