ARMED CONFLICT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 December 1939, Page 5

ARMED CONFLICT

DECLARED INEVITABLE GERMANY STANDS ASIDE. FREE HAND ALLOWED TO RUSSIA. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. NEW YORK, November 29. The Berlin correspondent of the “New York Times,” Mr Brooks Peters, says that an inevitable armed conflict between Russia and Finland seems to be indicated. Moscow’s diplomatic rupture will find Germany wholly sympathetic with the aims of the Soviet. The opinion expressed in the Wilhelmstrasse indicates that the Reich will maintain an attitude of benevolent neutrality, meaning that Germany will stand aside and allow Russia a free hand. Germany feels morally aligned with the Soviet, whose attitude to Finland is considered comparable with the Reich’s viewpoint concerning the Rhineland under the Versailles Treaty. Whether Russia and Germany will consult over the crisis in the north under their non-aggression pact is not yet decided. The “New York Times” Helsinki representative says that the Finnish pop-i ulation tonight is still unaware of the interruption in Russian-Finnish diplomatic relations. A variance of opinion exists as to Russia’s immediate intentions. Finnish military circles believe that eventual Russian action will start in the north, where Finland’s defences are weak and where the advance to the ice-free harbours is relatively easy. Russian military experts, it is understood, demand that if Finland is to be suppressed it should be now, as in another month the ice will form a natural coast defence. Other quarters believe that the whole affair is only an intensified war of nerves aimed at overthrowing the Finnish Government, since Russia does not desire a winter campaign in Finland, which would be lengthy and costly. AMERICAN MOVE LITTLE HOPE OF RESULTS. WASHINGTON, November 29. Following the statement by the Secretary of State. Mr Hull, offering the good offices of the United Stales in settling the dispute, American diplomats in Russia and Finland wore instructed to forward a statement to the respective Governments. While the exercise of good ollices does not necessarily imply mediation, the latter would be possible if the disputants requested it. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator I’itlman. and the Republican leader, Senator Borah, condemned Russia’s action and praised Mr Hull’s effort. Senator I’illman stated that Russia had rivaled fictitious incidents which were a pre hide and excuse for conquest. ’’ Both Senators had little expectation lh.it Mr Hull's move would be successliil. HOOD OFFICES NOT WANTED BY SOVIET. (Received This Day, 9.10 a.m.i WASHINGTON. November 30. The Soviet indicated that it was rejecting Mr Cordell Hull’s good ollices proposal. The Russian Vice-Comims-sar of Foreign Affairs told the American Charge D’Affaires in Moscow, when he delivered the oiler, that the Soviet could see no occasion at present for good offices.