RIVAL MINISTRIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 December 1939, Page 6

RIVAL MINISTRIES

ONE A SOVIET PUPPET /. — ATTEMPT TO DIVIDE FINNS. ELECTIONEERING PROGRAMME. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 12.53 p.m.) LONDON, December 1. Confusion arising from the accounts of two Finnish Ministers is resolved by the fact that one has been appointed by the Finns themselves, replacing the Cajander Cabinet, the other being a puppet Soviet Government appointed at Terjoki, which is in the possession of Russian troops. The former or White Government does not include Dr. Cajander or M. Erkko, whom Moscow virulently attacked. It consists of Dr Ryti, as Premier; M. Tanner, Foreign Affairs; M. Soedei’hjelm, Justice; M. Vonborn, Interior; M. Niukkanen, Defence; M. Pekkala, Finance; M. Hannula, Education; M. Heikinen, Agriculture; M. Saluvaara, Communications; M. Kotilanen, Commerce; M. Fagerholm, Social Affairs; M. Paasikivi, Minister without portfolio. The puppet, or Red Government is pledged to overthrow the White Government and consists of Finnish Left wingers and revolting Finnish soldiers, with M. Otto Kussimen as Premier and Foreign Minister, M Rosenberg, Finance; M. Anttila, Defence; M. Laechen, Interior; M. Ejkija. Agriculture; M. Lahtinen, Education, and M. Prokkonen, Minister for Karelia. The Moscow wireless reports that the Red Government’s desire is “to live at peace with the Soviet, whose glorious and invincible Army it welcomes. because the latter’s intervention corresponds with vital Finnish interests. The Red Government has formed a Finnish army corps recruited from revolutionaries and peasants. The Government is not of the Soviet type, but a democratic republic, founded on a broad popular front and will receive ultimate sanction from a Parliament to be elected by a free, secret and equal vote. It is pledged to create a people’s army, to State control of. banks and industry, the liquidation of unemployment, an eight hours’ day, lower rents, annual holidays, confiscation of large estates, the cancellation of peasants’ tax arrears and free education.