FINNS’ WAR ON RUSSIA

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23482, 10 November 1941, Page 5

FINNS’ WAR ON RUSSIA

REPRESENTATIONS , FROM U.S.

REPLY LIKELY TO BE DELAYED

(Received November 9. 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 9. A message from Stockholm says it is expected that the Finnish answer to the United States will probably be delayed for some time as a result of tne request from the Finnish Social Democratic Party for a secret session of Parliament. The Finnish press, discussing possible peace terms, emphasises a demand for the restoration of Hanko. A virtual armistice, it is reported, already exists on the Karelian Isthmus and Lake Ladoga region. The United States State Department has released particulars of the conversations in which the United States transmitted to Finland information regarding the Soviet peace terms on August 18. The Under-Secretary of State (Mr Sumner Welles) told the Finnish Minister (M. Procope) that the United States Government had been informed that the Soviet was prepared to negotiate a new treaty of peace, involving territorial concessions from Russia to 'Finland. Mr Welles told M. Procope that Finland would be the.loser, regardless as t to whether Russia or Germany won, if (Finland insisted on continuing the Slight, because Germany would either ;be the overlord of all Europe, with as a vassal State, or Finland {would be aligned with the defeated 'Power. The United States Secretary of State ■ (Mr Cordell Hull) told M. Procope that the United States was ready to •» expend 75,000,000,000 dollars in resisting and suppressing Hitler. The Helsinki radio announced that Finland, after replying to America’s representations, will publish her yer!sion of M. Procope’s conversations with Mr Hull and Mr Sumner Welles. /Finland had never received Russia's proposed terms, and the first Finland /knew of the proposals was a foreign propaganda broadcast, on November 5. “We have occupied Russian aerodromes, and are enjoying relative peace from Russian - raids,” said the announcer. "We will have complete peace when we occupy more aerodromes. It is alleged that we have been offered guarantees from England and America, but who would enforce the guarantees? It is too much to ask -Finland to pay for the misdeeds of Russia.” There was no further reference to a mysterious broadcast last night, which raised hopes that Finland would end the war with Russia. The broadcast came from a Finnish station, but the speaker’s identity is unknown. Finland officially denies the "war ending” statements attributed to a Finnish radio, states the “Evening News.” ■ , . _ , There is no clarification m London regarding the broadcast, which was made in English. The speaker’s name was not given. „„ . The Official German News Agency denies that such a broadcast was made from a Finnish station.

R.A.F. WING IN RUSSIA

15 ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED

SOVIET SUCCESSES IN AIR

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, November 7. News of the Royal Air Force wing in Russia is given by the Air Ministry News Service. Murmansk, which is in the area patrolled by the Royal Air Force wing, has been raided only twice since the wing arrived. Since the Germans have heard English voices speaking by radio from the wings of the Hurricanes their Messerschmitts have been noticeably inactive in that sector. The Royal Air Force score to date is 15 enemy aircraft destroyed, and another 10 possibly destroyed, against the loss of one Hurricane. The commander of the Russian Air Force recently presented the British commanding officer. Wing Commander H. G. Ra'msbottom-Ishenvood. with a cheque for 15,000 roubles, saying that Soviet airmen receive 1000 roubles for each enemy aircraft they shoot down. Wing Commander Ramsbottom-lsherwood sent the money to the Royal Air Force benevolent fund.

CONFIDENCE IN VICTORY M. Stalin’s Gall To Soviet Troops “WHOLE WORLD LOOKS TO RED ARMY” LONDON, November 7. On the twenty-fourth anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution to-day, M. Stalin, after taking the salute at a march past in Moscow, told the Russian troops that the whole country was behind them in one fighting mass. Although Russia was celebrating the anniversary under difficult conditions, her situation was better than that of 23 years ago. She had strong Allies, who were supplying arms and munitions, and was showing a united front to the enemy. Russia also had more food and materials of war than ever before. Hunger and impoverishment were now prevailing in Germany. She was bleeding to death. Another few months, another half-year, and Hitlerite Germany must burst under the weight of her crimes. “The whole world looks to you as a force capable of destroying the brigand’s hordes,’’ said M. Stalin. “A great liberating mission has fallen to your lot —on to victory, under the banner of Lenin!’’ M. Stalin said that, in spite of temporary reverses, the Soviet Army was beating off enemy attacks along the whole front, and dealing heavy losses. The Berlin radio says that M. Stalin’s account of the Soviet losses, which he placed at 350.000 killed, 1,020,000 wounded, and 378,000 missing is ridiculous. “When he refers to the missing he forgets that Germany and her Allies have captured 3,500,000 Russian soldiers,” the announcer said. He did not refer to the German casualties, merely saying, “I shall not analyse Stalin’s other figures. They are just as ridiculous.” , The radio declared that during the first three months of the war the Russians lost 5,500,000 men. During September, 94 Russian units, totalling 1.200,000 men, were entirely annihilated. A further nine divisions lost half their strength. Therefore the Russians’ losses in September could be estimated at 1,500,000. Need For Second Front Most of the London morning newspapers feature M. Stalin’s point about the need for a second war front. The “Daily Telegraph’’ describes M. Stalin’s hope In this respect as a most natural one, and says: “We also have wished for a war on two fronts, ana if it had been, then the end would have come sooner.” The “Daily Mail” points out that M. Stalin’s reference to the absence of a western front was not made in a spirit of complaint. He was well aware of the position resulting from the fall of France. , , “If we look elsewhere than to the west, maybe his expectations will soon be fulfilled,” it added.

The northern front is now in the grip of the Arctic winter.'Snow has covered the barren countryside into a deserted waste. The aerodromes are rolled twice a day to keep the surface hard enough for use. It is so cold that the air crews wear flying-kit all day. Many of the men are sporting the red star badges which Russian colleagues have given them. , _ The Moscow radio said that German bombers attempted to raid Moscow last night while M. Stalin was speaking, but were driven off by a specially fierce barrage. The all-clear was sounded at the end of the meeting. Further air successes against German ground fourccs were reported in a supplementary Russian communique, which stated: “On Wednesday our air force destroyed 40 enemy tanks. 350 lorries with infantry ammunition. 13 petrol tanks, 10 guns. 130 supply vehicles, and blew up three ammunition dumps and one ammunition train. “Moreover, the air force annihilated a regiment of German infantry. “During October our air force, operating on the southern sector killed more than 12.000 men. destroyed about 300 tanks, 2500 lorries containing infantry and army supplies, a large number of other vehicles, and about IUU guns.”

Trumper’s Record Broken.—The Northern Suburbs opening batsman, Les Fallowfield, broke Victor Trumper s grade cricket record by scoring his fifth successive century on Saturday. His scores this season are; 109, 103, 109, 129, and 135.—Sydney, November 9.