MINIMUM PEACE TERMS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 121, 17 February 1944, Page 5

MINIMUM PEACE TERMS

Reported Transmission To Finland POSITION OBSCURE (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received February 16, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 15. The Finnish ’diplomat M. Paasikivi has been informed that the Russians are ready to receive him in Moscow if the Finnish Government will accept minimum peace’terins, which are, first, the return to the 1940 frontier with modifications in favour of Russia; secondly, the occupation of all large Finnish towns under Finnish administration; thirdly, the elimination of unti-Russian elements from the Finnish Cabinet; and, fourthly, a free hand for the Russians against the German divisions in Finland, which are to be prevented from fleeing across the border to northern Norway. Reuter’s Stockholm correspondent quotes a “reliable source” for this, information. He adds that M. Paasikivi is reported to have asked for instructions from the Finnish Government which, it is believed, will accept the terms, excepting the handing ever of German soldiers, for fear of turning Finland into a battleground and also the total occupation of towns, but is ready to negotiate on this point. The Stockholm correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph - ' says that the Russians at present are trying to obtain more details as to what Finland is ready to concede before agreeing to sit down at the conference table. It can be stated on excellent authority that the continuance of negotiations beyond the peace feeler stage depends on a revision of the present Finnish Government, meaning the exclusion of the Prime Minister, M. Linkomies, the Acting Prime Minister, M. Tanner and M. Ramsay, also possibly the elimination of FieldMarshgl Mannerheim. The correspondent adds U “Now that the.. Finns seem likely to be compelled by force majeure to take the course which they might have followed on many occasions in the lasf two years in far more favourable circumstances, their best hope of Russian forbearance and a free future depends on proving that their conversion is wholehearted.” Position Known to Very Few.

An earlier message said that the position regarding the reported Finnish peace moves was very. report from the Stockholm correspondent of the British United Press quoted well-inform-ed Finnish sources in Stockholm as saying that the Finnish peace negotiations were progressing satisfactorily. “These sources,” he says, “maintain that Finland is not- swerving from a policy of directly exploring the possibilities of peace.” , , ~ The Stockholm correspondent, of the Associated Press of Great Britain quotes a source at the Finnish Legation as saying that M. Paasikivi had one conference with Madame Kollontay, the Russian. Minister to iSweden. and expects to meet; her again. . . « Vi The Helsinki correspondent or the Swedish newspaper “Aftonbladet,” quoting authoritative circles, states that there has been no advance in Jhe past 24 hours in the problem of peace with Russia. The Helsinki morning papers have not mentioned the- subject. There is no confirmation that M. Paasikivi contacted the Russian Minister to Stockholm. , The position regarding the Finnish peace feelers is at present known to only about half a dozen people, says the United Press correspondent at Stockholm. It can be said.- however, that Finnish sources insist that. Finland is determined to pursue its efforts to discover what sort of peace with Russia is obtainable. A meeting between M. Paasikivi and Madame Kollontay had not occurred up to this afternoon. M. Paasikivi, according to Finnish circles in Stockholm, continued to busy himself privately. There is a new development, however, in the return to Helsinki of M. Erkko, former Finnish Premier, who accompanied M. Paasikivi to Stockholm. It may be that M. Erkko is going to Helsinki with news, and whether M. Paasikivi will meet Madame Kollontay may 'depend on the seply he brings back from the Finnish Government. . Reports from the best-informed Finnish circles in Stockholm were that negotiations were progressing satisfactorily. The Associated Press, without comment, distributed a German -radio announcement saying, "The Finnish Legation in Stockholm has denied the Associated Press report, which quoted the Legation as saying that M. Paasikivi had a conversation with Madame Kollontay. The Press Department of the Legation described the report as ‘sheer invention.

MUST BE CONSIDERED Violent German Reaction To Finnish Defection

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 15. There is speculation about the Soviet terms, but no trustworthy information. Evidently there is an important distinction between any permanent terms of peace Moscow might, be prepared to consider and the question of an immediate armistice. The latter would presumably take first place in the discussions. The crux of the whole situation is the presence of the German army group, reported to be more than 100,000 men, holding northern Finland. This force was originally destined for Murmansk, but in 2| years it has made no noticeable progress. Its principal role seems to be to defend the Fetsamo nickel mines and the German base at Kirkens, just across the frontier of Norway. To what extent its communications through Finland could be defended by German troops is uncertain. When- Italy surrendered the 'Germans were better placed, to rescue outlying troops and consolidate the situation than they seem to be in Finland. It seems probable that the .German divisions there, in case of need, would retiro westward into northern Norway rather than southward. Their sea communications with Norway are open at all times of the year.. Obviously, however, the prospect of violent German - reaction to any Finnish withdrawal from the war must be taken into account by the negotiators on both sides. FINNISH VESSELS Forbidden To Leave Danish Ports (Received February 16, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 16. The Stockholm correspondent, of the Associated Press of Great Britain, quoting the Free Danish Press service, says that the Germane have forbidden Finnish vessels to leave Danish ports.