FINNISH REPLY

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21582, 19 November 1941, Page 5

FINNISH REPLY

CRITICISM BY RUSSIA ALLEGED TREACHERY “DISGRACEFUL ATTITUDE” (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 18 Dealing yith the Finnish reply to America, a f special communique issued in Moscow alleges that almost immediately after the signing of the Russo-Finnish peace in the autumn of 1940, Finland allowed several German divisions to enter Finland to prepare for the attack on Russia, in which Finland expressed her readiness to join. “This shows the Finnish rulers’ treachery toward both their own and the Russian people,” says the communique. “It will not be surprising, therefore, if the people of Europe and Russia deal with these gentlemen as they intend to deal with Hitler's clique.” The communique denies that Russia presented new and unjustified demands on Finland after the conclusion of the Russo-Finnish peace, or that she interfered in Finland’s internal affairs. The communique answers Finland’s assertion that she must be jDermanently on guard against Russian imperialism by recaling that the Soviet Government recognised Finland’s independence, which all previous Russian Governments refused to do. “Finland’s present disgraceful attitude confirms before the eyes of the world the Soviet’s well-founded concern for the security of its northwestern frontiers and the approaches to Leningrad,” says the communique. “The United States Under-Secre-tar.v of State, Mr Sumner Welles, informed the Finnish Minister in Washington. M. Procope, on August 18, that Russia was willing to discuss peace, but instead of replying to this question, which was vital for Finland’s existence, Finland’s present rulers prattle about a so-called ‘defensive war’ in order to conceal from their own people the annexationist aims of their war against Russia and the true meaning of their alliance with the Hitlerite imperialists.”

FLAMES DEFIED GEORGE MEDAL AWARDED COURAGE AND DEVOTION {Official Wireless) (Received Nov. 19, 12.20 p.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 18 The George Medal has been awarded to six officers and men for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Suez from July 14 to 15 in effecting the salvage of a captured German tank which had been loaded on the German steamer Georgia for shipment to Britain, when that ship was ablaze from stem to stern and listing heavily as a result of enemy bombing. The port authorities had advised that the task was impossible, but volunteers deliberately faced the risks involved, knowing the importance attached to an expert examination of the tank. In spite of smoke and flames the party managed to pass slings under the tank, which was lifted clear by a floating crane and taken safely ashore. The George Medal also goes to three officers and men for very gallant conduct, courage and resourcefulness on February 8 at Tobruk in removing ninety men from an ammunition ship which had been set on fire by a burning oil tanker colliding with her. WAVES OF PLANES NAPLES BOMBED AGAIN (United Press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 18 Waves of bombers raided Naples heavily last night, states this morning's Italian communique. No great material damage was done but a single bomb killed 28 and injured 40 persons. Enemy aerodromes at Gazala, Derna and Tmimi, in North Africa, were raided by South African and Royal Air Force squadrons on Sunday. READY FOR ENEMY MR CHURCHILL’S PISTOL (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 18 An incident concerning the Prime Minister, Mr Churchill, which occurred just before the collaose of France has been described by the Minister of Information, Mr Brendan Bracken. The Prime Minister was about to leave by aeroplane on his last sad journey to France. As he was walking down the stairs he turned to his butler and said: “Get me my heavy pistol.” Asked what he wanted this for, he replied: “If I were attacked by the enemy I may be able to account for at least ond German.”