A.—s

The Special Committee immediately got to work. It elected as Chairman M. Jose Caeiro da Matta (Portugal), and at the conclusion of its first meeting sent a telegram to Moscow. This message, the text of which, together with that of the Soviet Government's reply, are reproduced below, should dispose of any criticism that the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was not officially notified of the action which the League was taking in considering the Finnish appeal. " Geneva, December 11th, 1939. " Narcomindel, Moscow. " The Committee set up by the Assembly, which is seized in virtue of Article 15 of the Covenant, addresses an urgent appeal to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Finnish Government to cease hostilities and open immediate negotiations under the mediation of the Assembly with a view to restoring peace. Finland, which is present, accepts. Should be grateful if you would inform me before to-morrow (Tuesday) evening if the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is prepared to accept this appeal and cease hostilities forthwith. —Jose Caeiro da Matta, Chairman of the Committee." " Moscow, December 12th, 1939. "Jose Caeiro da Matta, President Assembly Committee, Nations, Geneva. " The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics thanks you, Monsieur le President, for kind invitation take part discussion Finnish question. At the same time the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics begs ,to inform you that it is not able to accept this invitation for the reasons set out in the telegram of December 4th from the Commissariat for Foreign Affairs sent in reply to M. Avenol's communication. —Mo&otov." Pending the receipt of the Soviet Government's reply, the Committee turned its attention to the facts as disclosed in the papers submitted by the Finnish Government and in the official documents published as communiques by the Tass (Soviet) Agency, and only when that reply had come to hand did it proceed to the judging of the issues. The Special Committee's report was ready for consideration by the Assembly •on Thursday, the 14th December. It is Document A. 46, 1939, VII, and is divided into three parts—Part I deals historically with the period between the initiation of the negotiations between Finland and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in October and the setting-up of the Kuusinen Government of Finland two days after the invasion of Finland by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; Part II covers the legal position. In Part lll,'which completes the report, will be found the summing-up of the Special Committee. It concludes with the following words: — "It follows from, these findings that the Soviet Government has violated, not only its special political agreements with Finland, but also Article 12 of the Covenant of the League of Nations and the Pact of. Paris." Then follows the draft Resolution in two parts: — The Assembly— " I. •" Whereas, by the aggression which it has committed against Finland, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has failed to observe not only its special political agreements with Finland, but also Article 12 of the Covenant of the League of Nations and the Pact of Paris; " And whereas, immediately before committing that aggression, it denounced, without legal justification, the Treaty of Non-aggression which it had concluded with Finland in 1932, and which was to remain in force until the end of 1945; " Solemnly condemns the action taken by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics against the State of Finland; " Urgently appeals to every Member of the League to provide Finland with such material and humanitarian assistance as may be in its power and to refrain from any action which might weaken Finland's power of resistance; " Authorizes the Secretary-General to lend the aid of his technical services in the organization of the aforesaid assistance to Finland; " And likewise authorizes the Secretary-General, in virtue of the Assembly resolution of October 4th, 1937, to consult non-member States with a view to possible co-operation. " 11. "Whereas, notwithstanding an invitation extended to it on two occasions, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has refused to be present at the examination of its dispute with Finland before the Council and the Assembly; " And whereas, by thus refusing to recognize the duty of the Council and the Assembly as regards the execution of Article 15 of the Covenant, it has failed to observe one of the League's most essential covenants for the safeguarding of peace and the security of nations;

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