NORTHERN DEFENCE ALLIANCE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 146, 15 March 1940, Page 9

NORTHERN DEFENCE ALLIANCE

Conference Of Sweden, Finland And Norway WORSENED POSITION (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright.) LONDON, March 13. The Finnish Foreign Minister, M. Tanner, announced that Sweden, Norway, and Finland are to meet in conference immediately for the conclusion of a defensive alliance which will sectnc the frontiers and independence of the three nations. The Baltic States are also reacting to the Russo-I mmsh sett c ment, and the Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Lithuania, a Latvia are to meet at Riga to discuss the new situation. . “Our position has become worse as a result of the chatl the Russo-Finnish frontiers,” declared the Swedish foreign Minister, M. Guenther, speaking m Parliament. He express prise at the peace terms, which, he said, were more severei than those Sweden had transmitted to Finland. l’« lland appa y did not realize till the last moment that a wor d wai would hav been inevitable if foreign military intervention had been necessa y to save her. The time had now come for new resolution. “The danger to us has not passed, said M. Guenthei. P continuation of the European war still piesents giave ns >'S,> all henceforth we must increasingly be ready to dlre <V%"Xo policy to the common interest. The northern, people should collaborate more closely to strengthen themselves. The Finnish Government has issued a proclamation empha sizing that complete unity is essential for successful reconstruction? It adds that peace was concluded to prevent greater inisfo tune. “We were able through the efforts of our heroic aimy and the entire nation, and the blood sacrifice of our Finnish youth, to preserve our dearest possessions—liberty and national honour, says the statement.