SLOW PROGRESS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 December 1939, Page 7

SLOW PROGRESS

MADE BY THE RUSSIANS IN FINLAND EFFORT FOR EARLY SUCCESS EXPECTED. I PURPOSE OF THE BLOCKADE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, December 9. “Diplomatic information suggests that the Soviet blockade is an attempt to impress the world and cover the halting Russian attack.” says the Washington correspondent of the “New York Times.” "Unless the Russians are.able to pierce the Swedish-Finnish minefields around the Aaland Islands, shipping will continue in the Gulf of Bothnia. Russian prestige is declining in the Balkans daily, and it is expected that M. Stalin will be forced to increase the troops operating in Finland to achieve a break-through in South Finland.

"It is indicated that the Soviet is dismayed by military delay and its inability to effect a rising within Finland. In addition. Estonia. Latvia, and Lithuania are trying to absent themselves from the League of Nations. so that they may not be forced to support Russia and are simultaneously attempting to refuse recognition of the puppet Finnish Government." FIGHT TO THE END. M. Ryti. broadcasting, said that Finland would fight to the end. M. Tanner, Finnish Foreign Minister, said Finland was prepared to conclude an honourable settlement. It is also reported from Moscow that the Soviet military authorities are worried over the slow progress being made in Finland. Not only does this involve a loss of prestige for the Red Army, but the weather is steadily becoming worse, and it is believed in Moscow that a filial bid will be made to crack the Finnish defences before the winter actually closes down. Lieutenant-Colonel Mellblom, commanding the Finns based at Wiipuri. reports heavy fighting on the Karelian Isthmus. The Russians, though reinforced. nowhere broke through the Mannerheim Line. The Finns have proved the effectiveness of the Bofors anti-tank weapons by destroying a hundred tanks on all fronts since the outbreak of fighting. White-clothed Finnish soldiers on skis attacked on a two-milc front in the northern sector, inflicting heavy casualties.

THE RUSSIAN FORCES. An estimated minimum of 200.000 Russians is attacking Finland, consisting of 11 infantry divisions, with artillery, and two tank divisions, including' five infantry divisions and one tank division on the Karelian front, none of which are first-line troops, while much of the motorised equipment is obsolete. But. since M. Stalin disposes a standing army of 2,000.000 and a war potential of 11.000.000. with hundreds of fast modern bombers. Russia has obviously-not extended representative strength. Finnish airmen carried out a leaflet raid over Leningrad, the leaflets calling on Russian workers not to believe in M. Molotov. Thirty more Italian planes have arrived. making 80 from Italy. Swedish correspondents report the wreckage of Soviet planes continually being discovered amid forests, proving that Russian air losses are considerably greater than indicated in the careful Finnish communiques.

TORPEDO-BOAT EXPLOIT. A Finnish motor torpedo-boai. states a Copenhagen message, successfully "attacked part of the Russian naval harbour at Kronstadt." according to the "National Tidende." The boat, among others, was purchased in Eng- ‘ land last year. A Soviet communique reports advances on all fronts. Russian planes bombed Hanko. The casualties are unknown. There is great indignation in Helsinki over the bombing, which is considered an insult to world opinion at the moment the League is meeting. Finland has defied the Russian navy to enforce the coastal blockade which M. Stalin has announced, pointing out that mines, coastal batteries, aircralt and naval vessels must all be reckoned with. The Swedish Government announces that it has mined Oergrund. which is south from Stockholm, thus closing the harbour of Stockholm, and has also mined territorial waters north-west from Aaland Islands