FINNISH EVACUATION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 46, 4 December 1939, Page 5

FINNISH EVACUATION

CITY STEELING ITSELF THREAT OF AIR ATTACK FIFTY ’PLANES FROM ITALY ’United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.*5 p.m.) HELSINKI, December 3. The British Legation has advised British subjects to leave-Firilandto-day. Hundreds of thousands of people are streaming out of the * cities and towns of Southern Fin land as a result of a Government order for immediate evacuation, which it is hoped to complete today. The exodus began last night. Everyone not needed for the essential work of maintaining public security has been ordered to leave. Last night 230,000 departed from Helsinki. The householders were ordered to pour water inside and outside their dwellings before leaving, and leave it to freeze, with the object of minimising the effect of incendiary bombs. The evacuation of Germans from Helsinki was completed this ‘ morning. Members of the Soviet Legation were also taken off in a German vessel. f • , Helsinki is steeling itself for a new aerial attack following the v dropping of Russian leaflets yesterday threatening that 800 planes . would raze the city unless Finland capitulated. The people, howI ever, are heartened by the excellent performance of Finland's “ small but efficient air force, which has been augmented during the last few days by the arrival of 50 Italian 'planes ordered before the war.