KEEP OUTSIDE ANY FATAL CONFLICT.
SWEDEN'S DESIRE. King Explains Refusal Of Aid To Finland. tribute fob gallant stand. United Pr-eos Association. —Copyright. (Hectlred noon.) STOCKHOLM, February 19. King Gustav, in a statement endorsing the Swedish Government's rejection of the Finnish appeal for military assistance, says: "I consider it my absolute dnty, as far as possible, to try to keep my country outside the fatal conflict." His Majesty, after paying tribute to the Finns' fight against overwhelming force, points out that- Sweden tried to help in many ways. However, he had made it clear that Finland could not expect direct military assistance. "With a sorrowful heart 1 have decided that we must adhere to this attitude, otherwise Sweden might run the greatest risk of being drawn into war not only with Russia, but with the Great Powers. Such a responsibility I cannot take on myself. If this happened it might be impossible for Sweden to give Finland the help she is receiving."
The King concluded: "I hope the Swedish people will understand and approve thi* attitude."
King Gustav's pronouncement caused a sensation in Sweden, which considers that he has given a striking lead to the Government's supporters, whose standpoint he has now made his own.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19400220.2.72
Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 43, 20 February 1940, Page 7
Word Count
204KEEP OUTSIDE ANY FATAL CONFLICT. Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 43, 20 February 1940, Page 7
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Auckland Star. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Auckland Libraries.