FINNS CONFIDENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 November 1939, Page 5

FINNS CONFIDENT

NO ATTACK BY RUSSIA EXPECTED MILITARY OR ECONOMIC. DISPLAY OF ANIMOSITY LIKELY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. November 16. The leader of the returned Finnish delegation to Moscow, Dr Paasikivi, today stated: “We neither expect nor fear military or economic action by Russia,” states a report from Helsinki. The Moscow correspondent of the “New York Times." Mr G. E. R. Gedye says that despite the bitterness of the Soviet radio attack (reported yesterday) no startling developments are expected. The calm tone of the statement of the Finnish Finance Minister. IVi Tanner, on reaching the frontier yesterday, was calculated to placate. M Tanner avoided the greatest dangerthat of implying that Russia's prestige has suffered. A display of animosity is expected in future, but it must be remembered that these diatribes are addressed solely to the Soviet people, who are accustomed to having the colours laid on thickly. More significant are reliable reports that the Soviet troops on the border are only half the number of the Finnish, which is certainly not a striking force. There are no indications of a forward move on Bessarabia either. The Soviet seems anxious as to whether developments in the West will confront them with a hostile combination of Powers. M Tanner on Wednesday said the negotiations had been amicable and there were no threats and no ultimatums. The talks were not broken off. M Stalin wished Finland good luck and he treated the delegation courteously throughout. IVI Tanner added that it was now necessary to find a new basis for continuing the negotiations.