NO ALTERNATIVE

Evening Star, Issue 23526, 15 March 1940, Page 5

NO ALTERNATIVE

FINLAND FORGED TO MAKE PEACE MILITARY SITUATION DESPERATE SNOW COMES TOO LATE TO SAVE COUNTRY Pr«M Association— By Telegraph—Copyright HELSINKI March 14. (Received March 15, at 9.20 a.m.) The sirioueness of the military situation is gradually becoming known. It is increasingly apparent that Finland had no alternative but to make peace. It is understood that 15,000 soldiers were seriously wounded in February alone, m addition to the 15,000'dead mentioned by Field-Marshal Mannerheim. The Russians made .such progress across the ice that the coastal batteries east of Helsinki actually went into action. The snow for which everybody in Finland had been praying began to fall to-day, too late to save the country.

The economic consequences of the peace terms are serious. Twenty per cent, of Finland’s exports went from Viipuri and 10 per cent, from Hanko. The Russians will take over a large number of important woodpulp factories and sawmills.

President Kallio, in a five-minute broadcast, said Finland had had to fight her battle alone. He paid a tribute to the army’s great fight against overwhelming odds, and said Finland must now devote herself to reconstruction “ in which we hope for the support of the civilised nations, but, above all, we must rely on ourselves.”. He concluded by expressing deep hope of final peace and prosperity. LAST ORDER OF DAY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF’S TRIBUTE TO , FINLAND'S DEAD HELSINKI, March 14. Field-marshal K. G. Mannerheim’s last order of the day paid tribute to "the 15,000 men who will never return to their homes.” The help which the Western Powers promised hadi not arrived because Sweden and Norway decided to look after their own house rather than allow transit, Field-marshal Mannerheim said. Only two battalions of volunteers, some artillery, anti-aircraft guns, and planes had been able to arrive in time to fight alongside the Finns. It was extremely hard, he added, to give up theland the Finns had posessed for centuries to a foreign race with an entirely different culture and morals. " But we must do our best with what is left.” PUPPET GOVERNMENT LEADER EXECUTED BY RUSSIANS COPENHAGEN, March 14. The Helsinki correspondent of the ‘TSkstrabladet ’ states that M. Kuusinen, leader of thq “puppet” Government, is reported to have been executed for giving the Kremlin misleading information on the conditions in Finland before the war. TRIPLE ALLIANCE SWEDEN, NORWAY, AND FINLAND ALL AGREED HELSINKI, March .14. (Received March 15, at 10.45 a.m.) ‘ President Kallio declared that a defensive alliance with , Norway and Sweden is inescapably necessary. OSLO, March 14. M. Koht stated that his. Government had replied affirmatively to Finland’s question as to whether he would consider the possibility of a defensive alliance between Norway, Finland, and Sweden. STOCKHOLM, March 14. The Foreign Office stated that Sweden had agreed to join in a triple alliance. It is reported that a military and diplomatic conference between the three Powers will be summoned as soon as Finland has settled her new frontiers and signed the final peace documents. NO UNANIMITY PROPOSED DEFENCE PACT LONDON, March 14. (Received March’ls, at 1.23 p.m.) Scandinavia is by no means unanimous regarding the proposed defensive alliance. Sweden and Norway realise that peace brings them within the Russian sphere of interest. The railways to be constructed threaten Sweden and Norway, and Finland is no longer considered fully independent. The proposed guarantee of Finland’s new frontiers, therefore, is'regarded as dangerous. There is the argument, also, that an alliance would infringe the peace agreement declaration. Finland would not join a group hostile to Russia, although international lawyers express the opinion that a purely defensive alliance is permissible. Sweden intends to continue financial aid to Finland, and has already given £30,000,000, in addition to £12,000,000 worth of arms. She has now granted credit to the value of £18,000,000. The Moscow radio announces that the Sut-reme Soviet Council is holding an ext* Mndinary session on March 19. This is t/v sixth meeting in four years.