FINNISH ACHIEVEMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 January 1940, Page 5

FINNISH ACHIEVEMENT

PRAISED BY MILITARY EXPERTS SITUATION ON WHOLE FRONT IMPROVED. AMERICA AND THE LEAGUE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 9. Military experts offer warm congratulations to the Finns on their brilliant victory in the Suomussalmi area, where a Russian division which was moving to the support of the 163rd Russian division was surrounded and destroyed. It is noted that the Finns employed the same tactics as in their former victory, surrounding the enemy from all sides, only closing in after hunger and cold had done their work. The opinion is" confidently expressed that the Russian threat toward the head of the Gulf of Bothnia has now completely collapsed and that it will not be possible to renew the threat for some considerable time. Meanwhile, the significance of the work of the small Finnish patrols which continue to blow up stretches of the Murmansk railway, rendering the task of reassembling large Russian forces very difficult, is fully recognised. In the estimation of those well qualified to form an opinion, the situation along the whole front is better than at any time since the commencement of hostilities. The urgent need of immediate assistance for Finland is not. however, overlooked, and in this connection several important developments are noted in the Press.. HELP FROM NEUTRALS. Reports indicate that 70 Danish and several thousand Swedish volunteers have arrived in Finland. In Britain emphasis is being laid on the need for supplies of all kinds at the earliest possible moment, and it is noted that the Argentine Government has placed 50,000 tons of wheat at the disposal of Finland, to be paid for when convenient and without interest. Much importance is attached in the Press to the announcement that the United States Government has informed the League that it is ready to give assistance to Finland. The “News Chronicle" remarks that the fact that neither Russia nor Finland has declared war makes the position of the United States easier, as an official declaration of war might make it necessary to bring the provisions of the Neutrality Act into operation. "As it is, nothing prevents America from giving practical expression to her sympathy for the Finns,” the news-

paper adds. “The League of Nations has been informed that American organisations are consulting directly with Finland regarding material and humanitarian assistance. Medical, financial and other aid has already been sent, and today it is reported that a number of United States volunteers have arrived in Stockholm.” To "Daily Telegraph” says that the action of the United States, in association with the League, whether or not it clarifies the minds of the leaders of Hitlerism, will strengthen the hands of neutrals. SHARP ANSWERS TO NAZIS. The newspaper recalls the outspoken declaration at the weekend that "Holland’s integrity could not be a matter for negotiation, and any attack on her territory would meet with the most stubborn opposition of her armed forces and comments, 'The Scandinavian Powers are no more inclined to accept Nazi principles than the ‘Nordic countries to belong to the Lebensraum of Soviet and Germany.’ "Sharp answers are given by ths Norwegian Press. The Danes retort that they detest the advance of Bolshevism westward as much as Hitler and Germany did till last August, and in Sweden, where Parliament met yesterday, feeling runs high. “The endeavour to drive northern neutrals out of the League and to frighten the Scandinavian countries into prohibiting assistance to the Finns has failed and brought the threatened States into closer association to resist, agression.” The leading article concludes: “There is no other safety for neutrals but common action against aggression. Union in resistance will preserve for each its national rights.”