A BACKGROUND OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 120, 14 February 1940, Page 8

A BACKGROUND OF THE WAR

Finland’s Hero CAREER OF BARON MANNERHEIM Bui fur Hie Russian invasion of Finland, the imine of Field-Marshal Baron Gustav Mannerheim might have been little known outside his country, as his greatest achievements were during and after the Great War in a country ot* which little was know or heard at that time. Now in lhe midst of another war lie lias reappeared in a struggle which lias aroused the horror ot almost the whole world against the aggressor, and iiie magnificent achievements ot the small Finnish forces gainst the Russian hordes has attracted widespread attention to their leiulei. Mannerheim was born iu 1867 of an ancient and honourable Swedo-Fninish. house. Like many oilier young lunnisli subjects of his time, when Russian rule was, if little loved, almost benign, lie entered the Russian Army. Distinguished service in the RussoJapanese War was followed by a brilliant career in the war ot 191-1-18, m which lie rose to high rank.

After Russia's Collapse After Russia’s collapse in 1917, Baron Mannerheim, oue of the few generals of outstanding ability in Hie Russian army, set. forth for Finland m his private motor-ear from Transylvania, where be bad commanded the Sixth Cavalry Corps. Russia was iu the throes of a violent revolution. Generals were being shot, like tlies, but Baron Mannerheim's courage and resourcefulness won through and he reached Finland without mishap. At the beginning of 1918 it was Mannerheim’s organizing genius that quickly built up a Finnish army from the nuclei of an undisciplined civil "•uard, and who planned and carried out plans whereby this army, with German support, broke the power of the Russian Government in Helsinki and drove Finnish and Russian Reds out of 1 inland. After this combat, Baron Mannerheim went to live in retirement. Soon, however, the young I’lnnish State, having won its freedom from Russia with German aid, was in danger of sharing the fate of the vanquished at the hands of vic orious Allies at. the close of flic World Mai. Skill As Diplomat Summoned from retirement, ■heim was charged with the diihctilt commission of obtaining better relations with England and France. During his visits to London and Paris, Baron Mannerheim’s skill as a diplomat proved equal to his ability on the battlefield. He brought, back diplomatic recognition from both England and France and permission to purchase grain, thereby saving liis country from threat ot I’u mine. , . in the spring of 1919 Mannerheim resigned his post, as Regent of Finland, following the election of Stahlberg as the first President of the Finnish Republic under a new constitution. I'or the next 12 years Baron Mannerheim refrained from political life, devoting himself to works of philanthropy and social reform. Bui. in 1931 lie was called upon to head the newly-formed Supreme Council. In this capacity the man who had formed the Fihnish army proceeded to re-organize and re-equip it, transforming it into a first-class modern lighting force. Man Of The Hour

Since then there has scarcely been a question on which Mannerheim has not been consulted. It is certain that his advice was asked regarding the Russian demands on Finland, and certain also that; his attitude was as moderate as was consistent: with the national independence and honour. In Finland’s hour of adversity this great figure typifies past victories against; odds as heavy as those her troops are facing today. It is an inspiration to them that the FieldMarshal, young still in body and mind, though not in years, is still in his place. Russia Badly Informed

The opinion that the Russian Government; has been badly informed by its diplomats in foreign countries, is expressed by the well-known American journalist, Mr. Walter Duranty. In a recent: article to th > “New York Times',” lie says: “I learned from a wholly trustworthy source that for a considerable period, prior to the ItussoFininsh conflict, the Soviet Iliad no military attache in Finland, and that the Soviet: representative in Helsinki and his principal subordinates spoke no language except. Russian, which the Finns refused to talk as a matter of principle. Lives In “Ivory Tower”

“ ‘The Russian envoy,’ ” my informant continued, “lives in an 'ivory tower,’ despite his contact, witli Finnish officialdom and diplomatic colleagues. I have reason to know he spent his time in writing reports to the effect that .Finland was groaning under the yoke of Baron Mannerheim, Hie Fininsh military leader, and a handful of ‘White Guards,’ and Hint. Hie Finnish masses would welcome the Russians as liberators. “How absurd this was can be judged by the fact that; Finland is a country of small landholders and with the highest-developed co-operative system in Hie world. “Moreover, the leader of the 'White Guards.’ or Lapuan Fascist movement, was never Baron Mannerheim, lint General WaJlenius, the hero of Finkind's 'waistline’ resistance. When lie, then chief of stall', attempted a Fascist coup several years ago, Baron Mannerheim opposed him, and his ‘March on Helsinki,’ in imitation of Premier Mussolini’s march on Rome, was suppressed wit limit bloodshed.” Scots Make Sacrifices

The two new Ministers who joined the British Cabinet: from outside politics, Sir John Reitli and Sir Andrew Rue Duncan, are both sacrificing about half their incomes by doing so. Sir John Reith’s salary as head of British Overseas Airways was £10,060 a year: ns Minister of Information lie is paid £5OOO. That; is also the salary of the new President of Ihe Board of Trade. Sir Andrew Rae Dunean. Sir Andrew is probably sacrificing more than Sir John. He will lie giving up his £SOOO-a-ye:ir chairmanship of file Iron and Steel Federation. Directorships of other concerns —including Hie Bank of Englund and Imperial Chemical Industries —must have accounted for more Ilian .‘mother £2OOO. The early careers of Ihe two new Ministers have been curiously parallel. Both are Scots who have made their names in England, Sir John beginning ns an engineer and Sir Andrew as a solicitor. Bolh established reputations as organizers during the last war. Sir John Rcilh was ;i buyer sent on behalf of Hie British Government to the United States. Sir Andrew wtis Coal Controller.