FINLAND’S BRAVE STAND.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 January 1940, Page 4

FINLAND’S BRAVE STAND.

JTIJRTHER impressive evidence has been afforded during the last, few days of the redoubtable fashion in which the Finns are withstanding the Russian invasion of their territory. Attacking in great force and evidently with more earelnl and efficient preparation than in their earlier efforts, the Soviet forces have again been repulsed on all vital fronts. If. could not. well have been believed beforehand that after nearly eight weeks of war, the Finns would sti-II be maintaining a firm defence against the tremendous superiority of numbers a-hd of material equipment that Russia .is able to bring to bear, it remains as clear as ever, however, that help on a great scale must be given to the Finns if their heroic efforts are to lie continued and the invasion ol their territory finally repelled. They are being assisted by Scandinavian and other foreign volunteers ami are reported to have received some aeroplanes and other war material from the Allies, but whether the total help in prospect, is likely to be adequte is still an open and a somewhat doubtful question.

In spite of all that has been said of late on the subject, reasons still appear for doubting ■whether the Soviet, is prepared to accept German aid against Finland. Ajiart from the humiliating confession of incapacity that would be entailed. Russia could hardly accept Nazi co-operation without forfeiting, or at least endangering very seriously the advantageous position she holds at present in relation to Germany in the Baltic. Whether Russia is prepared to accept German aid or not, however, the conflict in which the independent existence of Finland is at stake holds obvious dangers also for the Scandinavian countries ami for the Allies. Al the same lime, the establishment of safeguards against these dangers is made immensely more, difficult than it otherwise would be by the continued neutrality of Sweden and Norway,