RUSSIA OUTLAWED

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20990, 18 December 1939, Page 6

RUSSIA OUTLAWED

Russia has been declared by those nations still adhering to the League of Nations to be no longer a member of the League because she has violated the principles of the Covenant. Her invasion of Finland lias been condemned as an outrage against the common laws of humanity. Not one of the representatives of many nations assembled at Geneva could be found to raise his voice in objection to the expulsion of the offender from the League, although four members abstained from voting for special reasons. To that great weight of opinion can be added condemnation by the United States and Italy at least. Indeed it may be said that no nation but Germany would support Russia’s action, and even Germany’s acclamation is false. So Russia has been tried and condemned at the bar of world public opinion. What will the results be ? The invasion of Finland is proceeding more ruthlessly than ever. League members have been urged to render all possible aid to the Finnish people, and there is no doubt that substantial aid is already being given. But is there any hope of saving Finland from the clutches of the Soviet ? Already it is claimed that the invaders have cut Finland in halves by reaching the Norwegian border. The Finns are fighting magnificently, but they are so overwhelmingly outnumbered that without active assistance their chances of success are negligible. Unless Finland’s friends are prepared to fight for her it seems to be inevitable that Finland will be absorbed by the Soviet, and Russia’s strength in the Baltic will be increased enormously. “Russia’s aggression is a monster feeding on liberty,” said the Indian delegate at Geneva. “We must fight this monster together before it brings barbarism and chaos to the whole world.” The representatives of the nations warmly applauded that declaration, but of course the League as a body will not “fight the monster together.” Finland must rely upon such measure of support as may be given by the individual members and upon financial assistance from the United States. The League long ago missed its opportunity to take a united and forceful stand against outlaw nations.