SOVIET WAR POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 April 1940, Page 6

SOVIET WAR POLICY

Al. MOLOTOV’S ABORRSS CASUALTIES IN FINLAND. "ATTACK ON LENINGRAD PREVENTED." By Ti’lcaranh—Press Association— CopyrightMOSCOW. March 20. In his address to lhe Supreme Soviet Council. M. Molotov said:—"Finland by 193!) had been converted into a military base for use by third Powers in an attack against Leningrad. Finland's hostility to Russia last autumn was not accidental, but the Red Army broke through defences which hitherto have been regarded as impregnable. It not only prevented an attack on Leningrad, but it also frustrated the third parties’ more extensive plans-against Russia as a whole. -It was not an encounter with Finland; it was an encounter between our troops and the combined forces of a number of countries hostile to Russia, including Britain. France. Sweden. Italy and the United States. "Our casualties were 48.745 dead and 158,8G3 wounded. Finland’s casualties are'estimated at G 0.090 dead and 250.000 wounded. "Russia must range herself against attempts to violate the Russo-Finnish peace, notably from Finland. Sweden and Norway, under the pretext of a defensive alliance. This is obviously directed against Russia under a desire for revenge. We consider Swedish and Norwegian participation in such an alliance ns an abandonment of their neutrality. We are at present, not in conflict with Sweden and Norway and do not desire their ports. “Our relations with Turkey and Iran (Persia) are determined by treaties of non-aggression, and wo arc resolved to fulfil our obligations. The fantastic plans ascribed to Russia for a military campaign against India. Egypt, etc., are obviously absurd, but in Syria and lhe Near East generally there is a suspicious hubbub regarding the formation of a British and French colonial army. Any attempt to use these troops for purposes hostile to Russia would demand our taking immediate steps against the aggressor.

"Russia does not intend to retake Bessarabia from Rumania by war. Our relations have not improved with Japan, which must realise that the Soviet will not tolerate violation of its interests. Russian imports from the United States increased this year and could increase further if the American Government does not place obstacles in the way of Russo-Ameri-can trade.” GROSSLY EXAGGERATED STATEMENT OF FINNISH LOSSES. HELSINKI, March 30. M. Molotov’s figures in regard to the Finnish casualties .are described as grossly exaggerated. Finnish listeners were surprised that there was no reference to the Soviet military alliance with Germany.

BRITISH COMMENT LITTLE COMFORT FOR NAZIS. LONDON. Marcli 30. All papers give prominence to M. Molotov's speech, which is regarded as having little comfort for Germany. On the contrary, the front pages of the German newspapers today are filled with the . Polish documents, crowding out M. Molotov’s speech. Editorials declare that lhe documents prove the irrevocable desire of the Western democracies lo destroy Nationalist. Socialist Germany by means of war.