End of an Epoch

Franklin Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 19, 19 February 1940, Page 3

End of an Epoch

INVASION OF FINLAND “The Finland invasion marks the end of an epoch,” says the News Chronicle (London). “The principle of self-determination, as the Soviet Ambassador to Britain pointed out in a speech some time ago, formed one of the basis ideas of Communist theory. Over many years the Soviet Government continually reiterated its sincere attachment to the ways of peace. It made non-aggresion pacts with many of its neighbours; it joined the League of Nations; it signed the Brian-Kellogg pact for the outlawry of war; it urged disarmament, and went that failed, collective action against the aggressor. All that has gone by the board. Russia has reversed her policy and is now herself the aggressor. For those people who believed that the Russian Revolution held out hope for the under dog, this change of policy has come as a profound shock. Where now is the idealism and the faith in the creation of a better world which on every anniversary of the November Revolution drew to the Red Square thousands of men and women from every corner of the earth in celebration? All that is over. Russia must now be reckoned an ambitious and unscrupulous nation embarked for its own ends on the crazy game of power politics.”