BLOCKADE OF FINLAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 December 1939, Page 5

BLOCKADE OF FINLAND

DECLARED BV RUSSIA WATERS TO BE DANGEROUS TO ALL SHIPPING. MOVE THAT MAY WIDEN CONFLICT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. COPENHAGEN. December 7. Russia has declared a complete blockade of Finland to be effective from noon tomorrow, after which Finnish waters will be “dangerous to all shipping.” The “New York Times” Moscow correspondent, Mr G. E. R. Gedye, says that the blockade again suggests an unexpected lack of Russian adroitness. The lines on which the Finnish conflict is developing indicate that its control may escape from the Soviet’s hands and she may find herself involved in a major conflict, which, experienced circles believe, is the reverse of IVI Stalin’s intentions and is utterly contradictory to the Soviet’s vital interests. BRITISH PLANES ORDERED BY FINLAND. STOCKHOLM. December 7. Finland is reported to have ordered 100 Spitfire aeroplanes from Britain. AMERICAN LOAN PURCHASE OF NON-WAR MATERIALS. NEW YORK, December 7. The Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Morgenthau, today stated that the United States-Finnish negotiations for a loan through the Import-Export Bank were being continued. He added that the due instalment of the Finnish war debt payment will be placed in the suspense account pending a Congress decision on how it can be made available to Finland. He confirmed that if Finland asked for a two years’ moratorium of the debt it would be granted. The "New York Times's” Washington correspondent says the proposed Finnish loan is variously estimated at from 5,000,000 to 30,000,000 dollars. It will probably cover only non-war materials. and it may have to await Congress action on a request by the Loan Administrator, Mr Jones, for replenishment of the bank’s capital.