MESSAGE TO LEAGUE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 December 1939, Page 7

MESSAGE TO LEAGUE

MOLOTOV DENIES STATE OF WAR AIMS IN FINLAND DECLARED. HELP GIVEN TO “PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT.’’ LONDON, December 5. The Russian Prime Minister, M. Molotov, has informed the Secre-tary-General of the League of Nations, M Avenol, that the Soviet Union will not participate in the meeting of the Council of the League on Saturday. M. Molotov’s message to the League states that the Soviet Union considers the convocation of the council on the appeal of Dr Holsti (the Finnish delegate) to be unwarranted. He adds that the Soviet is not in a state of war with Finland and does not threaten the Finnish people with Avar. Consequently, invocation of Article Eleven (for common action against an aggressor) is not justified. The Soviet has a pact with the People’s Democratic Government of Finland which regulates all questionson which it was impossible to negotiate with the former Finnish Government. The People’s Democratic Government appealed to the Soviet on December 1 for military aid in order to liquidate the war danger created by the former Finnish Government. Dr Holsti's appeal is illegal since the persons for whom he speaks are not the true representatives of the Finnish people. The Soviet, therefore, cannot participate in the Council or Assembly, the convocation of which is irreconcilable with respect for the Soviet Union. A message from Geneva yesterday stated that it was learned that Russia would leave the League. FINLAND’S APPEAL LEADING TO IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS. OUTLOOK IN SOME DETAILS UNCERTAIN. LONDON, December 5. Finland’s appeal to the League of Nations is leading to important developments. It is assumed that Russia is departing from Geneva, either willingly or unwillingly, and according to the Geneva correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain, some quarters openly predict that Spain and Italy might then return to the League. The South American nations are expected to assist in any such move, and they are strongly advocating support for Finland. Spain is technically still a member for another 18 months. In accordance with the two years’ notice provision Italy ceases to be a member on December 12—three days after the date on which the council is expected to meet. A Rome report says Signor Gayda in the “Giornale d’ltalia” recalls the sanctions imposed against Italy and says: "Finland has a right to demand that the League apply sanctions against Russia. The Finnish appeal will be most instructive as regards the orientation of minds in Europe. There still exists the power to institute sanctions against aggressors. Finland was independent and the Russian aggression was not provoked.” The “Manchester Guardian” says Finland's appeal caused some embarrassment to Britain and Franco and that it is by no means certain that justice will be done to the Finnish cause because so many small Powers are under Russian and German domination. Yugoslavia has announced that she will not attend the council meeting. “The Times” says that despite M Molotov's statement, the Russian Ambassador, M Souritz, yesterday participated in the discussions of the Assembly Budget committee at which the Polish and Finnish delegates were present. If Russia is ousted from the League it will be the first time in the League's history that such action has been taken by member States against another BRITAIN’S POSITION STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Dav, 9..55 a.m.) RUGBY. December 5. Asked in the House of Commons

whether the Government supported the request of the Finnish Government for a meeting of the Council of the League of Nations, Mr Chamberlain said the action of the Finnish Government was taken on its own initiative. The Council had been summoned for Saturday next and it was anticipated that the Assembly would meet on December 11. The Government would be represented by the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Mr R. A. Butler, who would make a statement on Britain's behalf. SOVIET ACTION JOINT PAN-AMERICAN CONDEMNATION. APPROVED BY UNITED STATES. (Received This Dav. 10.5 a.m.) WASHINGTON December 5. The Assistant-Secretary of State. Mr Sumner Welles, announced that the United States had notified certain Latin American nations which had approached it on the subject, that it would be most glad tn participate in a joint Pan-American condemnation of the invasion of Finland provided all Pan-American countries took pari.