MODERN CRUSADE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 March 1940, Page 5

MODERN CRUSADE

AGAINST RUSSIAN INFIDEL ADVOCATED DY MAJOR ROOSEVELT. FIGHT FOR THE CIVILISED WORLD. By Tclegi’aph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, March 4. A message from Toronto says that Colonel Fraser Hunt, a member of the Ontario Legislature, is organising 700 Canadians, including aviators, to join 250 Finnish volunteers who are to sail for Finland shortly. Colonel Hunt announces that he expects to command the British Canadian volunteers, with Major Kermit Roosevelt as brigadier. The need for another crusade to free the peoples of the world from the oppressors of the world from the oppressors of liberty, religious beliefs and everything that the civilised world held dear, was stressed by Major Roosevelt, who is to command the British volunteer force for Finland, in a broadcast talk from Daventry outlining the reason for his decision and that of the men who were accompanying him. “It is nearly 900 years since Britons first left their shores for the cause and ideals of oppressed people,” he said. “Religious freedom and faith was the high purpose which filled their hearts. These islanders had no need to leave home. They had nothing to gain and everything to lose, but such was their faith, love of freedom and the rights of their fellow men that they left to fight, the infidel—the oppressor of innocent men and women, who persecuted them for their religious beliefs and who threatened the whole of civilisation.

“Today there is need for another crusade. I believe with all my heart that on the result of this war depends the future of my children and grandchildren who are living quietly and happily in America. Germany must be stopped now jf we are to have a world in which children will want to live.

“I feel it as a debt to safeguard those children. In the far north infidel Russia—more mighty than the greatest tyrants of the past—is persecuting people whose ideals are the same as yours and mine. This modern infidel does not use the sword or lance, but every type of weapon modern science has devised to kill men, women and children for no other reason than that they are fighting to defend their right to live in the land of their fathers, to think, speak and worship as a free, independent people. “It is not a question of Communism or Fascism. These are only names, but one of right and wrong. That is what the defence of Finland means to me.

“The few Britons who comprise this force to fight against the infidel are not Red or White, not Communist or Capitalists. They are not in the pay of landowners or bankers. They are not moved by political interests. “Their only purpose is to help Finland in its struggle against the evil forces of the Soviet Union . . .Finland is the weakest wall again this modern force of evil. She was in the most urgent need of help. “We are a small body, but we are going to Finland, and as soon as possible. We are not going to save Finland, but to give a helping hand to a friend in trouble. The Britons are not young adventurers, but mature and experienced men from all walks of life. “It is our belief that we are going to fight for the civilised world. I do not think it is my purpose to ask you to help. That is a matter of conscience; but if your conscience makes you believe that you can help to save the world from the hell that Stalin and Hitler are socking to create, then we will welcome you to this crusade.”