HELSINKI DENIAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 November 1941, Page 5

HELSINKI DENIAL

OF RECEIPT OF RUSSIAN PEACE OFFER FACTS GIVEN BY MR HULL. FINNISH MINISTER APPRISED IN AUGUST. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) WASHINGTON. November 12. The Secretary of State. Mr Hull, revealed that the Russian peace offer to Finland was submitted to the Finnish Minister to Washington, M. Procope, on August 18. It had been received by the United. Stales Government from the Soviet Ambassador, M. Oumansky. on instructions from Moscow, but the Finnish Government repeatedly asserted that it had not received. anything which could be construed as a bona-fide peace offer. Mr Hull said that if M. Procope had sent to Helsinki the full report of the August conversation, there would be no question that a genuine offer had been made. Finland, in rejecting the United States’ peace suggestion, has evaded the real issue, said Mr Hull. Many Americans, too, had failed to understand that the Finnish forces > were making an extremely important and effective contribution to Hitler’s cause by participation in the general war. NEW MILITARY,ACTIONS. Mr Hull quoted American Associated Press reports from Berlin which showed that Finland is moving into new Military actions beyond her frontier. He said he still hoped the Finns might consider some of those democratic traditions with which Americans always associated the Finnish people, and that the Finns would not be irrevocably committed to collaboration which might mean the loss of their liberties and institutions.

Mr Hull criticised the German propaganda, which had obscured the vital concern of free, democratic nations. “German propaganda reaches the United States before the most rapid flashes from Finland,” he said. It is learned in Washington that the Finnish reply, after asserting that Finland’s attitude is that she desires to cease hostilities against the Soviet as soon as the “dangers threatening her existence” are eliminated, and guarantees are obtained for her future security, adds, “Suggestions that Finland has more far-reaching aims overestimate Finland’s opinion of her own resources.”

The Note also says that the Finnish Government does not believe that the Finnish occupation of the areas from which Finland’s safety is continually threatened can conflict with American security interests. “Finland, contrary to the American assumptions, does not consider her independence or freedom of action are threatened by Germany,” it says. “She wants to manage her own affairs, including her security, on a basis of national unity and ancient northern democracy.” The Berlin radio declared, "Finland’s reply to the United States will make Roosevelt feel he has been told to keep within his own bounds. Roosevelt’s pedantry has received the reply it deserved from our courageous allies.” The German official news agency said: “Finland desires to end her struggle when the danger threatening her has been averted. The Finns will continue the war only until their security and peace are guaranteed. Consequently there can be no question of the sudden interruption of entirely justifiable military operations.” GERMANY PLEASED “DARING” OF SMALL. NATIONS. (Received This Day, 9.53 a.m.) LONDON, November 13. A Zurich message says an official spokesman in Berlin, referring to Finland’s reply, said Germany was pleased to know that there still exists in Europe small nations who dare give the right answer to America.