SOVIET’S REPLY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 69, 14 December 1939, Page 9

SOVIET’S REPLY

Reasons As Earlier Stated ASSEMBLY’S PROBLEM By ■ Telegraph.—Press Assn.—-Copyright. (Received December 13, 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, December 13. The reply by the Soviet Prime Minister, M. Molotov, to the League was 'Broadcast from Moscow at 1.30 a.m. today. It was the first Russian announcement of the League’s mediation offer, the public having been left by Press and radio in ignorance of the proceedings. Russia also sent a telegram to the President of the League, Mr. C. I Hambro, the text of which (states Official Wireless) is reported by the British delegation to be as follows: —

“The Soviet Government thanks you, Mr. President, for the kind invitation to take part in the discussions of the Finnish question. At the same time, the Soviet Government informs you that the Soviet is not in a position to accept this invitation, for the reasons given in the telegram of December 4 from the Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, sent in reply to a communication from the S ecretary-General.” The special committee of the League Assembly to which Finland’s appeal was handed adjourned after adopting its report to the Assembly, which is believed to include condemnation of Russia as an aggressor, but it is not. suggested what steps should be taken by the League. • China Seeking Seat. A unanimous vote of the Council ig required to expel Russia. China is seeking a seat, and might oppose Russia’s expulsion. Consequently it is reported that the Assembly will elect only three new members instead of five until the Russo-Finnish question has been finalized, namely, South Africa, Bolivia, and either Finland or PortuThe Rome radio staled that Berlin officially denied that Herr Hitler asked M. Molotov to peace with Finland.

[The earlier Russian message to the League to which M. Molotov referred stated that the Soviet Union considered the convocation of the council on the appeal of the,Finnish delegate, Dr. Holsti, to be unwarranted. It added that the Soviet was not in a state of war with Finland and did npt threaten the Finnish people with war. Consequently, invocation of Article II (for common action against an aggressor) was not justified. The Soviet had a pact with the People s Democratic Government of Finland which regulated all questions on which it was impossible to negotiate with the former Finnish Government. The new Government appealed to the Soviet on December 1 for military aid in order to liquidate the war danger created by the former Government. Dr. Holsti’s appeal was illegal since the persons for whom . lie spoke were not the true representatives of the Finnish people. The Soviet therefore could not participate in the Council or the Assembly, the convocation of which was irreconcilable witlFrespect for the Soviet Union.] ESPIONAGE IN U.S.A. Many Complaints Recorded (Received December 13, 7.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 12. The Federal Bureau of Investigation i.s receiving a daily average -of 214 complaints of espionage, sabotage and other violations of the defence laws. The chief of the bureau, Mr. Edgar Hoover, declared: "Foreign espionage agents and saboteurs have threatened American neutrality, but our internal security i.s better protected than ever.” RED CROSS FUND Jewish Refugees’ Gift (British Official Wireless.) (Received December 13, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, December 12. Including a gift of £2OOO from Tanganyika, the Lord Mayor’s Red Cross Fund rose yesterday to £Bo9.ooo—an increase on the day of £4OOO. A German Jewish refugee visited Mansion House and handed in » German gold 10 mark piece. He explained Hint he had been engaged in importing glass from Czechoslovakia and, after that became impossible, from Finland. His business had now disappeared, so he had decided to make the gift before he had nothing left to give.