FINLAND’S TRAGEDY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 March 1940, Page 5

FINLAND’S TRAGEDY

MR CHAMBERLAIN’S REVIEW DETAILS OF HELP GIVEN BY BRITAIN. I PROMISE OF FURTHER AID. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY. March 19. The French, Turkish, Belgian, Argentine, United States, Chinese, Spanish and Russian Ambassadors were present in a crowded House of Commons when the Premier (Mr N. Chamberlain) macle a statement at the opening of a debate on the progress and conduct of the war. He dealt first with the “great tragedy” of Finland, the collapse of whose resistance had given a profound shock throughout the world. The peace terms were such as could only have been accepted by a proud people like the Finns under dire compulsion, for they greatly compromised their independence and integrity. Their heroic stand had not been in vain, for they had won the respect of the whole world. The Government which fought the war still held office. The Army was intact and the spirit of the people unbroken, and. added Mr. Chamberlain amid cheers, though Britain had been unable to save Finland, perhaps her power to help her was not yet at an end. Britain would take its share with others in the regeneration of Finland. After speaking of Germany's inescapable responsibility, since the Soviet invasion of Finland was an outcome of the Moscow Pact and it was German threats which had “terrified the Scandinavian countries into withholding the help which might perhaps have saved her," Mr. Chamberlain declared that the suggestion that the Allies had failed to do their utmost to help could not for one moment be maintained.

Before listing the material assistance sent by Britain, Mr. Chamberlain reminded the House that the Allies were facing an unscrupulous and very powerful foe. whose forces for many weeks had been marshalled ready for an attack which could be delivered in a few hours, so that all requests from friendly neutrals must continually be weighed in the balance against their own needs. There were also difficulties of communication. Nevertheless, no appeal by the Finnish Government had remained unanswered. The Finnish requests had naturally varied. In the early stages they were chiefly for fighters, later for bombers and considerable quantities of small arms and ammunition. and later still the chief emphasis was on guns. Every request was promptly and fully considered and met as far as possible. The Premier read the following list: Aeroplanes promised, 152; actually sent, 101.

Guns of all kinds promised, 223; sent, 114. Shells promised, 297,200: sent, 185,000. Vickers guns promised, 100; all sent. Marine mines promised, 500; sent, 400. Hand grenades promised, 50,000; all sent. Aircraft bombs promised, 20,700; sent, 15,700. Signal equipment promised, 1300 sets; sent, 800. Anti-tank rifles promised, 200; all , sent. Respirators promised. 60.000; all sent. Greatcoats promised. 100.000; all sent. Battle dress promised, 100,000; all sent. Anti-tank mines promised, 20,000; sent, 10,000. Ambulances promised, 48; all sent. The list also included many other items, such as medical stores, tents and equipment, sand bags, steel helmets, etc., and large quantities of small arms ammunition. .