FINNISH MOVE FOB. PEACE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 118, 14 February 1944, Page 5

FINNISH MOVE FOB. PEACE

Russia’s Terms Wanted APPROACH TO MOSCOW LIKELY (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright; (Received February 13, 7 ip.m.) LONDON, February 12. The Finnish' Social Democrat Parliamentary Party met yesterday and de- ■ manded! that the Acting Prime Minister, M. Tanner, immediately find out Russia’s peace terms, says the Stockholm “Svenska Dagbladet’s” Helsinki correspondent. Cabinet’s attitude was sympathetic, says the correspondent. It is believed they judge the situation realistically, and deem a direct approach to Moscow necessary. The Helsinki newspapers, with one exception, are calling on the Government to examine the possibilities of the United Slates warning to Finland to get out of the war. The only newspaper urging the continuance of the war is the Nazis’ “Ajansuunta,” which declares that war is preferable to peace on Russian terms. A Finnish communique states that 150 Russian planes bombed Kotka. a port on the Gulf of Finland, last night-, but caused only slight damage and a few casualties. A warning to Germany’s satellites that they must now share Germany’s fate was given by a Rusqjan political commentator over Moscow radio.

He specifically mentioned -Spain, stating that> General Franco’s Government has the insolence to assert that it is pursuing a policy of neutrality, whereas in reality it has been a docile tool in Hitler’s bands throughout the war. Spain has been a secure shelter for German, spies and saboteurs. Pressure is now being put on Hungary to quit the Nazi camp.

“Budapest will suffer the same fate as Helsinki unless Hungary gets out of the war,” said Moscow radio. _ Bulgaria is also extending the precautions against air raids. Budapest radio says that a ban on night traffic has been ordered throughout Bulgaria. A message from Istanbul reports that the Bulgarians have evacuated the large border towns and have begun to evacuate smaller towns near the main railway junctions. FINNISH DIPLOMAT IN SWEDEN (Received February 13, 10 p.m.) LONDON, February 13. The Stockholm correspondent of the British United Press says that M. Paasikivi, Finnish diplomat who participated in the peace negotiations with Russia in 1940, has arrived by air.