FIGHT UNTO DEATH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 December 1939, Page 5

FIGHT UNTO DEATH

J PROCLAIMED BY FINNISH LEADER t , FINAL ACT IN WAR ! OF LIBERTY ) > i NEW PREMIER’S EXPECTATION : OF VICTORY. HOPEFUL OF NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT. LONDON, December 2. The new Finnish Cabinet held its first meeting this morning in a shelter in the centre of Helsinki. ; A Copenhagen message states that the newspaper "Extrabladet" says that the Government has now left Helsinki and its new headquarters are unknown. In Helsinki Field-Marshal von Mannerheim issued the order of clay in which he declared that the whole country “will fight unto death" against the invader, who is Finland's hereditary enemy. “This war is nothing but the continuance and final act in our war of liberty." the message added. “Though death rains on us from the skies we shall fight, to the bitter encl and shall never call the retreat. The united forces of the nation are behind the new Government.” In a telephone interview with the United Press of America the now Premier, M Ryti, said: "We will fight alone. We expect, to win. We are obtaining the moral support of Britain and France and hope for diplomatic support. Finland fears that they cannot help militarily because of our isolation. “We are still hopeful of a negotiated settlement. Tell the Americans we will not surrender. The Finns will fight to the last.” The Finns claim that the Terijoki Government controls only a few square miles of no-man’s land in front of the ■ Finnish lines. HALT IN BOMBING FOLLOWING ON GERMAN REQUEST. COLONY ALLOWED TO LEAVE SAFELY. LONDON, December 3. Russian bombers again appeared in Helsinki at 9.2(1 a.m. yesterday while refugees were pouring from the city. The roads are packed with every type of conveyance. Those remaining in the city worked throughout the night in snow constructing air-raid shelters. It is understood the Russians agreed not to bomb Helsinki yesterday and todaj’' following a German request that the German colony be allowed to leave safely APPEAL TO LEAGUE MADE BY THE FINNISH GOVERNMENT. POPE PROPOSES ARMISTICE. LONDON. December 3. The British United Press Helsinki correspondent says that the Finnish' constitutional Government, from a bomb-proof Cabinet room, appealed io the League of Nations to intervene in the Russian-Finnish dispute on the basis; of Article 11. Clause 15 of the Covenant. Meanwhile. Hie Pope has proposed Io Britain. France arid Germany tin arm- ‘ istiee Iroru December t’2 to December 27. It. is; iolorest.iliff Io note nppropos Hie League appeal dial Russia lias just paid to tlie I.eague the outstanding balance of her 1929 contributions, while Finland did likewise on Hie same day. AIMS REVEALED ESTABLISHMENT OF PUPPET GOVERNMENT. OUTER MONGOLIAN MODEL. (Received This Day. 9.15 a.m.) LONDON. December 3. Tile British United Press Moscow correspondent says the establishment of (he Puppet Government at Terijoki has unmistakably revealed Hie Soviet, war aims, (f M. Kussineii succeeds in obtaining control of Finland. will) flic aid of tlie Red Army he will establish a regime similar Io Ihal in Outer Mongolia, which is legally sovereign, but politically and economically linked up( with the Soviet.