SOVIET DEMANDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 December 1939, Page 7

SOVIET DEMANDS

DISCLOSED IN FINNISH WHITE BOOK TERRITORIAL AND OTHER CLAUSES. BASES ON THE MAINLAND AND ISLANDS. LONDON, December 11. The Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press says that the Finnish Government has issued a White Book on the Russo-Finnish negotiations before the war. The Soviet demands included: — (1) Moving the Karelian Isthmus frontier westward. (2) Adjusting the Petsamo frontier. (3) For blocking the Gulf of Finland by artillery from both coasts, that the Soviet lease for 30 years the port of Hanko with the adjoining territory in a radius of six miles south-east and three miles northwest for a naval base, for which purpose the Soviet would maintain in Hanko one infantry and three air force regiments, two antiaircraft batteries, and a battalion of armoured cars, to a maximum of 5000 men. (4) That Finland grant the islands of Hogland, Seiskari, Lavansaari, Tutarsaari, Bjorko, and part of the Karelian Isthmus, totalling 1000 square miles. (5) That the Soviet cede to Finland 2100 square miles in the districts of Repola and Porajarpi. (6) That the Soviet Non-Aggression Treaty should be strengthened by stipulating that neither party join any group directly or indirectly hostile to the other. (7) Abolition of the fortified frontier zones. Finally, the Soviet would not object to fortification of the Aaland Islands, providing that no foreign Power, including Sweden, participated. The proposals were presented on October 14. Russia stated on October 23. when replying to the Finnish compromise suggestions, that the Russian proposals were a minimum. Finland’s counter-proposals included the surrender of all the islands except' Hogland, regarding which further discussion was sought. Finland refused to lease Hanko and rejected an offer to buy it, on the ground that Finnish neutrality would be affected.