PLIGHT OF FINNS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20992, 20 December 1939, Page 7

PLIGHT OF FINNS

400,000 MOBILISED SMALLPOX OUTBREAK IN THE RUSSIAN ARMY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 20, 11 a.m.) HELSINKI, Dec. 19 Smallpox has broken out in tlfe Russian Army and is already of epidemic proportions. All Finnish soldiers are being vaccinated, also civilians in the frontier regions. The outbreak was discovered among Russian prisoners taken on the Karelian Isthmus. 400,000 Finns Mobilised The Helsinki representative of the America Press states that the Finns have mobilised 400,000 men. Detachments retreating from Pitkcjarvi set fire to the buildings before the Russian motorised troops pursued them down the Arctic highway from Petsamo to Rovaniemi. If the Russians reach Rovaneimi, which railway connects with Tornio, they will effectively bisect Finland. The British United Press’ Svanik representative states that in order to consolidate their gains before resuming the attack the Russians are dig-ing-in in the newly-conquered territory on the far northern front, erecting barracks at Salmijarvi, near which they have concentrated 12,000 men and 200 tanks. HELSINKI, Dec. 19 Soviet bombers thrice raided Turku, Finland’s main gateway to Scandinavia, which is largely constructed of wood,, and destroyed several houses. Many buildings were burned. No one was killed.

BELGIUM’S SYMPATHY

CHEERS IN THE CHAMBER “DOWN WITH COMMUNISM!” ASSISTANCE FOR FINLAND , United Press Assn.—E.ec. Tel. Copyrigbt) (Received Dec. 20, 1 p.m.) BRUSSELS, Dec. 19 The members of the Chamber of Deputies cheered for fi\ 7 e minutes when the Premier, Dr. Spaak, declared that the aggression against Finland justified the indignation of the Deputies. Members shouted ‘‘Down with Communists!” whose leader the President of the Chamber threatened to expel. Dr. Spaak added that Belgium was ready to help Finland as much as she could. A German invasion of Holland would not leave Belgium indifferent, but he was unable to say what Belgium would do in any given circumstances. The whole Belgian situation had much improved. NEW YORK, Dec. 19 Mr Hoover cabled Dr. Ryti 100,000 dollars, which was collected in the first week of the Finnish relief funds campaign. ANOTHER AIR RAID 18 PLANES PARTICIPATE RUSSIAN PLANE DESTROYED .United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrigtu (Received Dec. 20, 1 p.m.) HELSINKI, Dec. 19 Eighteen Russian planes participated in a raid. Only four reached the city at a great height. They dropped eleven bombs but there were no casualties. The Finns claim that anti-aircraft guns brought down two of the raiders.