AMICABLE TALKS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 32, 17 November 1939, Page 6

AMICABLE TALKS.

FINNS AND THE SOVIET. CALM TONE OF STATEMENT. . LONDON, November 16. The Finnish Minister for Finance (M. Tanner), interviewed on his return from Moscow, said that the negotiations with the Soviet had been very amicable. Jliere had been no threats and no ultimatums.

The talks had not been broken off. M. Stalin had wished Finland good luck and had treated the delegation _ courteously throughout.

The Moscow correspondent of the “New York Times” (Mr G. E. R. Gedye) says: “In spite of the bitterness of the Soviet radio attack on Finland, no startling developments are expected. The calm tone of M. Tanner’s statement on reaching the frontier was calculated to placate Moscow. M. Tanner avoided the greatest danger, that is, of implying that Russia’s prestige had suffered.

“A display of animosity is expected in the future, but it must be remembered that these diatribes are addressed solely to the Soviet, which is accustomed to having the colours laid on thickly.

“More significant are reliable reports that the Soviet troops on the border are only half the number of the Finnish troops. Certainly they are not i striking force, and there are no indications of a forward move on Bessarabia either.

“The Soviet seems anxious whether developments in the west will confront them with a hostile combination of Powers.”