BRITISH NAVAL THREAT TO SOVIET ?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 46, 23 February 1940, Page 7

BRITISH NAVAL THREAT TO SOVIET ?

NEAR PETSAMO. Reds Will Attack At Once On Interference. CRUISERS IN VICINITY. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, February 22. It is reported from Moscow that the Soviet Naval Commissar, Kouzenoff, has S one to Murmansk by air, following on reports that British warships were cruising near Petsamo. Xhe Stockholm "Aftonbladet" says that the Soviet Arctic Navy is in a state of complete preparedness. The authorities are reported to have decided that any interference with Russian shipping would result in armed conflict immediately. \ Previous reports stated that British warships had been seen in the vicinity of Petsamo and it was assumed that their objective was to blockade German shipping! which was taking advantage of neutral waters. Petsamo is on the winter route for iron ore shipments to Germany. destroy defences. Russia's Pre-War Demand On Finland. WIIPURI PRESS CLOSES DOWN. (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 22. M. Gripenberg, Finnish Minister in London, reveals that Russia's demands before the war included the destruction of the Mannerheim Line by Fin Sand. The newspapers in Wiipuri which, despite bombardment have caerried oil daily, sometimes with only » single sheet, have not appeared to-day, says a Helsinki message. They had evidently been forced to close down. - Russian air activity has diminished owing to the weather. Men between 45 and 46 years of age have been called up.