FINNISH RETIREMENT TO NEW FRONTIERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 March 1940, Page 7

FINNISH RETIREMENT TO NEW FRONTIERS

Reported Resignation of Ministers Denied

SERIOUS PROBLEMS OF NATIONAL READJUSTMENT

POPULATION OF HALF A MILLION DISPLACED

(By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright?

LONDON, March 17. The Finnish President, M. Kallio, has signed his Parliament’s ratification of the peace treaty with Russia. Dr Paasikivi, who was a member of the delegation which went to Moscow to discuss the peace terms, is to return Io exchange the ratification documents and also settle outstanding questions, such as the.exact limits of the new frontiers, the opening of trade negotiations and the possibility of the resumption of diplomatic relations, including a Russian legation in Helsinki.

Reports that two Ministers resigned after the peace terms had been announced are officially denied in Helsinki.

Since early Friday morning the Finnish army has been withdrawing over a zig-zag front of 200 miles in south-east Finland in accordance with the terms of the Russian peace. As soon as the Finns had withdrawn about four miles and a half the Russians began to advance into the evacuated territory.

One of the first places entered by the Russians was Viborg. West of Viborg the Finns have not far to go to reach the new frontier, but at the other end of the Mannerheim Line the Finns must cover more than GO miles to the new lines. Civilians from Viborg, under the leadership of the town councillors, for the past three days have been removing furniture from homes and supplies from shops, leaving only a shell-scarred and empty ci tv.

Columns of lorries miles long are transporting 8000 people and their possessions from Hanko into the interior of Finland. The evacuation proceeded all. last night.

The area surrendered to the (Soviet totals about 19,000 square miles, and had a population of just under 500,000, Of these, 400,000 were removed to places of safety, leaving 100,000 who are now following. It is stated that the Finnish Government is trying to keep friends and neighbours together in their new homes, but it is pointed out. that there are very grave social problems ahead.