DEMAND REJECTED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 November 1939, Page 5

DEMAND REJECTED

The “Daily Mail’s” Helsinki correspondent in a later message says it is understood the Government has emphatically refused to withdraw the troops. The official spokesman said that in no case can there be a unilateral withdrawal of troops from the Finnish-Soviet frontier. He added that there was no proof of shooting from the Finnish side, but there was knowledge of firing from the Soviet side of the frontier. The Moscow correspondent of the Associated Press says that M Molotov’s Note was handed? to the Finnish Ambassador. It states: — “The Soviet does not intend to allow itself to be provoked. The Soviet has already drawn the attention of Finland to the fact that the concentration of such large numbers of regular troops on the frontier is dangerous. The concentration means a threat to Leningrad and a hostile act against the Soviet, which has now resulted in victims. Such incidents must not be repeated. “Consequently the Government recommends' that the Finnish Government withdraw its troops immediately 20 to 25 kilometres from the border to prevent further provocations.” The “New York Times” correspondent, Mr G. E. R. Gedye, in a message from Moscow, states that the RussianFinnish situation is very grave, but, if as reported the Finns explain the accident as during the course of artillery practice, the Soviet Note appears to be moderate, indicating that there is no intention of moving against Finland. Russian anger at the firm attitude of Finland is reflected in abusive articles in the Soviet newspapers, a radio message reports. “Pravda,” the official organ of the Communist Party, is particularly furious, and declares that Finland is being supported in her policy by a third Power. The paper : makes a violent attack on the Finnish Prime Minister.