PREPARING FOR WAR WITH RUSSIA

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 109, 4 November 1939, Page 13

PREPARING FOR WAR WITH RUSSIA

ALLEGATION IN SOVIET PRESS

CRITICISM OF MINISTER'S SPEECH

<By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received November 4, 10 a.m.)

MOSCOW, November &.

The morningl radio news bulletin made a lengthy quotation frdm the "Pravda" declaring* that the Finnish Foreign Minister, M. Erkko, followed up M. Molotov's speech with what in, fact was an appeal to war against Russia. "Although common sense should haye obliged the Finns to come to an arrangement with the Soviet,'' the article stated, *'some of the Finnish leaders do not want a treaty. A section of the Finnish Press is distorting1 the Soviet aims. Precautions such as Finland is taking- are only taken by countries which are preparing- for war. M. Erkko delivered a direct threat against Russia. Colonel Beck, Polish Foreign Minister, recently spoke in the same spirit, and by the same methods provoked war with Germany. The Powers on which Finland is relying- provoked the present war and tried to involve us. These same Powers provoked Poland to march into war. "■■ Attacking Sweden for supporting' Finland, the "Pravda." asserts that Swedish politicians are under orders from their Western bosses, and adds that sooner or later events will prepare pressure by Sweden and Norway. Russia would cast to the devil all political gamblers' games and tread her own path, despite everything1, smashing1 every obstacle en route to her £oal.