BRITISH ANNOUNCEMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 March 1940, Page 7

BRITISH ANNOUNCEMENT

Brief Discussion in House of Commons

SUCCESS OF AGGRESSION DEEPLY REGRETTED ‘ J

In the House of Commons the Prime Minister (Mr N. Chamberlain) announced that the British Minister at Helsinki had been informed of the peace terms, and armistice. Throughout the Finnish-Soviet struggle, said Mr Chamberlain, the British and French Governments had supplied Finland with large quantities of war material. The British Government had made it plain that it was ready to give Finland all possible help in her gallant stand against aggression. It had always been understood that it was for the Finnish Government to decide on the course of action that would suit their interests. The people of Britain, lie said, were united in their sympathy and admiration of the way in which Finland had carried on her struggle.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr C. IL Attlee) added his tribute of admiration and said the success of aggression was to be deeply regretted. Mr L. Ilore Belisha suggested that repeated appeals had been made to this country for men or materials and that the excuse of inability to send men was based on mere technicalities. Mi* Chamberlain at once replied, stating that Finland had made repeated requests for material and these had been met. Finland had not made repeated requests for men. As long ago as February 25 Finland had been told that Britain was making preparations to equip an expeditionary force in readiness should Finland make an appeal. In reply to a question, Mr Chamberlain said that at no time did Britain threaten the neutrality of Sweden. SCANDINAVIAN POLICY M. Tanner, Finnish Foreign Minister, in a statement, said the Allies had informed Finland that they were prepared to send a fully-equipped Expeditionary Force. The only possible route by which this force could reach Finland was through Norway and Sweden. Finland had repeatedly asked Norway and Sweden to allow the passage of troops, but they refused and difficulties were placed in the way and Finland could not get the help she desired. There was one thing to be thankful for, he said, and that was that the Soviet was not interfering with internal politics. Flags in Finland were flown at half-mast and the papers appeared with black borders.