SOVIET DEMANDS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20986, 13 December 1939, Page 9

SOVIET DEMANDS

MOVING OF FRONTIERS DISCLOSURES BY FINNS CESSION OF TERRITORY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 11 The Finnish Government has issued a White Book on the Russo-Finnish negotiations before the Russian invasion, says the Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press. The Soviet’s demands included the following:— (1) Moving the frontier of the Karelian Isthmus to the west. (2) Adjusting the Petsamo frontier. (3) Fw the blocking of the Gulf of Finland by artillery from both coasts, and a Soviet lease for 30 years of the port of Hanko, with the adjoining territory over a radius of six miles south-east and three miles north-west, for a naval base. For this purpose the Soviet would maintain at Hanko one infantry and three Air Force Regiments, two anti-air-craft batteries, and a battalion of armoured cars to a maximum of 5000 men.

(4) Finland to grant the islands of Hogland, Seiskari, Lavansaari, Tutarsaari, Bjorko and part of the Karelian Isthmus, totalling 1000 square miles. (5) The Soviet to cede to Finland 2100 square miles in the districts of Repola and Porajarvi. Proposed Non-Aggression Pact (6) The non-aggression treaty should be strengthened and should stipulate that neither join any group directly or indirectly hostile to the other. (7) The abolition of fortified frontier zones. Finally, the Soviet would not object to tne fortification of the Aaland islands, providing tnat no foreign Power, including Sweden, participated. These proposals were presented on October 14 and the Soviet said on October 23, when replying to Finland’s suggested compromises, that the Russian proposals were the minimum. t inland’s counter-proposals included the surrender oi all the islands except Hogiand, in regard to whicn further discussion was sought. Finland refused to lease nanko and rejected the offer to buy it on the ground that her neutrality would be affected. RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA “ GIANT FILM SCENARIO ” HURRICANES OF METAL PUBLIC KEPT IN IGNORANCE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. copjngnij LONDON, Dec. 12 Russia’s propaganda machine, which is hiding tne true nature oi tne attack on Finland lrom the Russian people, is dealing with the reporting oi the war as it it were handling a giant film scenario. A corps of official writers, including tne official dramatist, M. Virta, is already at the front. Reporting this Russian way of liberation, M. Virta writes: “ They lay landmines and shoot from trees. Our Red soldiers cry: ‘Shoot, you filthy snakes,’ as they bring them toppling down.” Like all other “ literary collectives ” officially reporting the way, M. Virta is lyrical about the way in which the Finns are “ annihilated by hurricanes oi metal.” Another Soviet author jocularly describes Russia's aerial bombs as "Voroshilofl’s telegrams which rained down on the heads of the enemy us soon as the Finnish staff was starting off.” Not Reporting Real War The Moscow correspondent of the Daily Telegraph states: “ These writers are not reporting the real war. The Russian public is still left in utter ignorance of Finland’s ready, national resistance. They are led to believe that the Red Army, for the sake of the Finnish people, is liquidate.' a petty gang of Finnish militarists vho dared to provoke • mighty Russia.’ •• They believe that there is a vast popular mot ement of revolution against the Helsinki Government led by the Red Government set up by the Ki-emlin under the guns of the grim island fortress of Krorir’adh”

RUSSIAN ADVANCES THE FIGHTING IN FIN LAN a ! VIOLENT ATTACKS REPULSED | vUnited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. CopyrlgUt) LONDON, Dec. 11 Heavy fighting has occurred in Finland at widely separated points on an 800-mile front from the Arctic to Lake Ladoga. The Finns are sturdily holding most of their positions in spite of the Russian claim to have made further advances. A night communique issued from Helsinki states: “For the fifth successive day the Finns repulsed violent assaults in the vicinity of Lake Ladoga. They destroyed seven tanks and annihilated three Soviet companies. They abandoned Salla after bitter fighting. “Finnish batteries at Bjorko fought a duel with the Red Fleet for two hours.” The British Vice-Consul at Helsinki, Mr Nigel Allan, has reigned in order to organise a British oreign Legion to assist Finland. Appeal to Christians It is revealed in London that some wedes are already fighting in the • innish Army, for which thousands have volunteered. Archbishop Kaila, of Finland, has appealed to Christians throughout the world to assist Finland in the name of the northernmost outpost of Christianity.