MOVES IN FINLAND

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 117, 12 February 1944, Page 7

MOVES IN FINLAND

Peace Necessity Believed Urged On President (Received February 11, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 10. The Finnish Commander-in-chief, Field-Marshal Mannerheim,' visited President Ryti and is believed to have urged the necessity of making overtures to Russia, says the “Daily Telegraph’s” Stockholm correspondent A Cabinet reshuffle, excluding the acting Prime Minister, M. Tanner, who has long been identified with the extreme anti-Russians, would have to precede such 1 , a move. * Both the left wing and, Social Democrat members of the Opposition, alarmed at the recent developments on the Leningrad front, have been seeking Mannerheim’s intervention, probably through his personal representative in Helsinki, General Kekoni, who is believed to be pro-AUied. The Finnish radio today broadcast Mr. Cordell Hull’s warning to break the German alliance. It added: “The advice will be seriously studied by all responsible Finnish circles.” Mr. Cordell Hull’s new warning to Finland to detach herself from the war is given prominence in the Finnish newspapers, but, by official request, without direct comment, says the Stockholm correspondent of “The Times.” That it has caused a stir, however, cannot be dotted. One of the- most important objections raised against Finnish peace moves hitherto has been the argument that there are no signs of a corresponding Russian desire, but the step now taken, by Mr. Hull is regarded in Helsinki as an indication of American knowledge that direct Finnish approaches would meet with a response from Russia. The Moscow “Red Star” said: “The Finnish rulers have tried to determine their strategical frontiers. Now the Red Army will determine them. The Red Army is capable of defending the Soviet ■frontiers in the region of Helsinki.”

PRIME MINISTER’S HEALTH ' ((Received February 11, 10 p.m.) LONDON, February 10. The German news agency says it is reported from Helsinki that the Finnish [Prime Minister, M. Linkomies, is convalescing after an operation on the thyroid gland. Commenting on reports that M. Linkomies is on leave because of 111-health, Beuter said it is not improbable that he has decided to retire as discreetly as possible to avoid shouldering the responsibilitv for the ultimate consequences of the Finnish policy. The appointment as Act-ing-Prime Minister of the-Finance Minister M. Tanner, who 'has frequently been said to be the main obstacle to the conclusion of peace, may mean that leading Finns have decided to continue the war to the bitter end. Linkomies, whose pro-German leanings have long been known, is reported to have changed his opinions considerably after a visit to Hungary a year ago.