M. TANNER RETICENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 March 1940, Page 8

M. TANNER RETICENT

MOSCOW NEGOTIATIONS STILL. IN PROGRESS

ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS DENIED.

FIGHTING AT VIBORG AND OTHER POINTS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (..Received This Dav, 12.30 p.rnj HELSINKI. March 11. The Finnish Foreign Minister, M, Tanner, in a statement, said the Finnish delegates were still in Moscow and that negotiations were proceeding. He declined to indicate whether progress was being made. The Finnish Foreign Office denied that peace terms had already been accepted. Bitter fighting continues. The Russians made air raids on a dozen towns and paid five visits to Helsinki. A Finnish, communique admits that , the Russians achieved slight succes- ‘ ses at several points on the shore of Viborg Bay, but minor detaehmqjits in the Gulf of Finland area were forced to retreat. Attacks on the isthmus failed and the Finns mowed down a thousand Russians, making five thousand for the week, at Kollaanjoki. The Finns admit the surrender of an island near Ritka.raij.ja. but repulsedattacks at Ku’nmo and Salla. 1 TRANSIT OF TROOPS REPORTED SWEDISH OFFER TO ALLIES. NO CHANGE IN BRITISH POSITION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Dav, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 11. It is not known if Sweden, as alleged. offered transit across - Sweden if Allied assistance to Finland were substantial.

The British position remains unaltered. “We arc willing not only to assist Finland,” said an official statement issued in London, "but to airiplify our assistance if means of transit can be arranged."