SUCCESSES IN THE SOUTH

Evening Star, Issue 23451, 16 December 1939, Page 11

SUCCESSES IN THE SOUTH

FINNS HOLDING RUSSIA RED ARMY ADVANCING IN NORTH STARVATION TACTICS-REINDEER HERDS WITHDRAWN HELSINKI, December 15.' (Received December 16, at 9 a.m.) 1 It is officially claimed that the Finns are in entire possession of the district of 'Tolvajarvi, on the southern front, and their troops are pursuing the Russians. The battle in this area lasted for three days, and it is stated that two Soviet regiments were destroyed. The Red army, however, is progressing in the extreme north, where four villages besides Salijarvi are ablaze.Throughout the night terrific explosions were heard on the Norwegian; frontier, believed to indicate the blowing up of the nickel mines. The Russians in Central Finland claim to have reached a point 67. milea from the Soviet frontier. The pressure against Salla is strong, but the Finn* have received reinforcements and ar* holding their own, inflicting heavy losses. Thousands of Red troops ar« reported to have fallen in this area. The Finns have withdrawn huge herd* of reindeer from the district, and doubt whether it is possible for the Russians, with their long and vulnerable line* of -mmunication, to provide their troops with provisions for any length of time. The Foreign Office spokesman welcomed Mr Chamberlain’s statement, and said, “ If only Britain would help" we would be all right.” Mr Erkko, in an interview at Stockholm, said: “ Finland can hold out indefinitely if munitions and supplie* are available without delay.” - The Archbishop of in a me*, sage of sympathy to the Archbishop of Finland, said: “ You are fighting fot the things we all hold dear.” |NR CHAMBERLAIN IN FRANCE TO SPEND FEW DAYS WITH B.E.F. LONDON, December 15. (Received December 16, at 10 a.m.)‘ It is officially announced that Mr Chamberlain has arrived in France to spend a few days with the Expeditionary Force. WARM RECEPTION BY FRENCH (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 15, , (Received December 16, at noon.) 1 The Prime Minister began his tour 1 of the British Expeditionary Force ia France after lunching with the British Commander-in-Chief at general headquarters. Mr Chamberlain arrived ia France by air. The afternoon was spent on a visit to a section of tb* Royal Air Force attached to the ArmyIn a cellar the Premier saw a larg* telephone exchange at work. Her* 1,400 calls daily are dealt with, and sometimes as many as 200 hourly. To-morrow the Premier will contfnu* his tour. A noteworthy feature of.the visit so) far has been the warmth of the reception accorded Mr Chamberlain by the French people POLISH AIRMEN SEVERAL SQUADRONS IN TRAINING TO BE INCORPORATED IN R.A.F. (British Official Wireleas.) RUGBY, December 15. (Received December 16, at 10.30 a.m.)] A detachment of Polish airmen who have been training to become the firslj of several Polish squadrons to be incorporated in the British Air Force will don Royal Air Force uniforms to-mor-row. These squadrons will be entirely self-supporting. The pilots, observers, gunners, wireless operators, and ground staff charged with the maintenance of the aircraft, will be exclusively PolishThe first detachment includes several war veterans. One sergeant was brought down by Germans during th* fighting in Poland, and escaped from his own. country after it had been overrun by the enemy. The performances in the air of th# members of these Polish detachment* have evoked the enthusiasm and admiration of members of th* Royal Ai*; Force, under whose • direction theie final training has been undertaken. LIVING COSTS IN ENGLAND 12 PER CENT. RISE SINCE WAR BEGAN NOW 73 PER CERT. ABOVE 1914 GOST (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 15. (Received December 16, at noon.)' The cost of living index at December 1 was 73 per cent, above the level of July, 1914, against 69 per cent, oof November 1. For food alone the index shows a ris* of about 2 per cent, in retail price* during the third month of the war.. •Since the outbreak of the war. th*! total rise in the cost of living index, nocording to the Ministry of Labourhas been rather less than 12 per cent,*