LEAGUE OBLIGATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 March 1940, Page 7

LEAGUE OBLIGATIONS

HONOURED BY BRITAIN & FRANCE MR CHAMBERLAIN ANSWERS . QUESTIONS. USE OF ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, March 11. “As the British and French Governments have already informed the Finnish Government, they are prepared, in response to an appeal for further aid, to proceed immediately and jointly to help Finland, using al! the available resources at their disposal.”—This statement was made this afternoon in the House of Commons by Mr Neville Chamberlain (Prime Minister) in answering a question by the Opposition Leader (Mr C. R. Attlee.) Mr Chamberlain referred to the material assistance which the French and British Governments had sent and were continuing to send to Finland and observed: “This has been of considerable value to the Finnish forces.” He said he had no information which was sufficiently reliable to give the House on the negotiations for a cessation of hostilities. Mr Attlee then asked: "May I take it that any aid sent to Finland will be in fulfilment of our obligation under the League Covenant and in co-opera-tion with other States similarly bound?”' The Premier answered: “It will certainly be in accordance with our obligations under the Covenant. As to co-operation with other States, I have already mentioned France in association with ourselves. Of course I cannot say what other States might feel bound to do.” Asked if this was not tantamount to going to war with Russia. Mr Chamberlain said: “We have not arrived at that yet.” Questioned further as to whether the Government proposed , sending troops to Finland. Mi- Chamberlain declined lo add to his statement. NO FURTHER REQUEST RECEIVED FROM FINLAND. MISUNDERSTANDING CLEARED UP (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY. March 11. A Downing Street announcement makes it clear that no appeal for further aid has yet been received from Finland. The statement is issued as some misunderstanding appeared to have arisen following the Premier’s answer to Mr Attlee.