SOLID BRITISH HELP FOR FINLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 45, 22 February 1940, Page 7

SOLID BRITISH HELP FOR FINLAND.

MANY VOLUNTEERS. Large Supplies Of 'Planes And War Material. ON IMPREBBIVE SCALE. British Official Wireless. (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, February 21. Considerable interest and enthusiasm have been evoked in London and in the country generally by the recent appeal of the Finnish Legation for volunteers. It is known that many persons, particularly those experienced in ski-ing and mountaineering, have come forward and according to reliably informed quarters here material assistance which Britain is sending Finland is on an impressive scale. It is stated that nearly 150 aircraft, of which the large majority are lighters, are being dispatched, and that roughly one-third have already reached Finland. Large quantities of military equipment and ammunition which are being seuit include some 130 anti-tank rifles, with ammunition, many thousand antitank mines and hand grenades, nearly 30 howitzers and a<> many field guns and anti-aircraft guns, some 100 machineguns with ammunition, a considerable quantity of small arms ammunition and a number of tanks. Gin guns and 3in trench mortars with appropriate ammunition. In addition a considerable quantity of non-lethal military equipment has been released, including respirators, gas decontamination Hems, tents, clothing, telephones, etc. VAST BLOW EXPECTED. Big Russian Troop Moves Toward Finland. ALLIES PREPARING HELP? NEW YORK, February 16. Heavy troop movements from the Lkraine and White Russia towards Finland, apparently with the object of smashing the Finns in one vast blow, are reported by the "New York Times" correspondent at Washington, who quotes "reliable diplomatic sources"' in support of his information. He also reports, but is unable to confirm, that Britain and France are preparing, three divisions of Polish, French and Canadian troops for possible trans|>ort to the Finnish front if the Soviet attack should succeed or Germany should intervene in Scandinavia. Diplomats at Washington believe that Stalin is about to employ the full force of Russia's vast manpower to smash the Finnish defence, leading to the belief that the heavy fighting of the last 11 days has been the prelude to a greater drive, which will permit the Finns as little rest as possible. VITAL WAR MATERIAL. Russia's Large Imports From United States. PETKOL SUPPLIES BTOP. WASHINGTON". February 21. The Department of Commerce reveals tint since the outbreak of the war in Europe !H) per cent of Russia's purchases in the United States and 98 per cent of American re-ex|K>rts to Russia consisted of essential war materials. Exports for the five months ended January 31 were valued at 30.100.000 dollars, of which items worth 33,000.000 dollars were essential to the war machine.

The Department doubts whether much was re-exported to Germany from Russia owing to the extent of the Soviet's own requirements.

Government officials rej»orted tfcat tlie "moral embargo" on exports of bombing aircraft to blacklisted countries and. or, re-exports of strategic materials needed in the United States was functioning "nearly 100 per cent." The export of aeroplanes and aviation petrol to Japan and the Soviet had virtually ceased, and shipments remaining were "leaks."