ATTACKS CONTINUE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 March 1940, Page 5

ATTACKS CONTINUE

ON APPROACHES TO VIBORG fighting north-east of lake LADOGA. SOME DEFENCE POSTS LOST BY FINNS. Further Russian attacks on Viborg are reported in the latest Finnish war communique, Daventry reports. Throughout, the day the Russians battled for the possession of certain points and the attacks are continuing. Northeast, of Lake. Ladoga a Finnish reverse is admitted when Russians captured a few defence posts. It is stated in Helsinki that because of the repeated and deliberate attacks by Russian planes on Finnish hospitals, all Red Cross flags are to be removed. TERMS OF PEACE REPORTED PROPOSALS BY SOVIET. EXTENSIVE ANNEXATIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, March 7. The Stockholm correspondent of the “New York Times” says that Helsinki is considering peace terms submitted by Russia through the Swedish Government in Stockholm. It is reported that M. Stalin proposed to annex the whole of the Karelian Isthmus and Lake Ladoga, including Sortavala (north of the lake) and Viborg, with a naval base at Hanko (near the entrance to the Gulf of Finland). He also wants territory in the Petsamo region in the far north. ARMS FOR RUSSIA REPORTED NAZI SHIPMENTS. OSLO, March 6. The newspaper “Tidens Tegn” states that German ships are using Norwegian waters to carry arms to Russia. Norwegian pilots are not allowed aboard. SWEDISH NAVY PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION VOTE. STOCKHOLM, March 7. The Government has asked Parliament for £3,200.000 for naval construction; in addition to £3.700.000 for the purchase of warships. “PEACE DEMANDS” SWEDEN’S REPORTED ATTITUDE. UNDER GERMAN PRESSURE. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, March 7. Reports of peace moves in the Russian-Finnish war are again circulating widely. The Associated Press of America Stockholm correspondent says it is reliably stated that Sweden is seeking a Rus-sian-Finnish armistice and also confirms Russia’s peace demands recently presented to Finland. Another Stockholm message says Germany' is taking the initiative in the peace talks. Official Swedish sources refuse to. deny or confirm reports that Sweden has submitted to Helsinki peace, terms from M. Stalin, providing for the surrender of the Karelian Isthmus, Viborg, Lake Ladoga and Petsamo. They also decline to discuss reports that Germany has warned Sweden that the transit of volunteers would be regarded as a hostile act. The impression prevails that Sweden is striving for a peaceful solution before the arrival of volunteers. DIPLOMATIC FORCES AT WORK IN HELSINKI & STOCKHOLM. ALTERNATIVES BEFORE FINNS. ' By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) ROME, March 7. Strong diplomatic forces are at work in Helsinki and Stockholm, according to the special correspondent of the official Italian News Agency, on the Swed-ish-Finnish frontier. He says: "The Finns on the one hand are being urged to conclude an honourable peace after mediation, and on the other hand are pressed to continue the struggle with the prospect of foreign intervention on a vast scale. It can be stated that while the struggle between London and Berlin continues, Sweden is determined not to become embroiled in a European war. despite all efforts to persuade her otherwise.”