FINNISH NAZIS

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 October 1939, Page 7

FINNISH NAZIS

DESERTED BY HITLER “OUTSIDE GERMAN SPHERE” [BY carle —PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] COPENHAGEN, October 16. Reports from Moscow state that Russia is demanding from Finland the cession of certain islands in the Gulf of Finland, a pledge not to fortify the Aaland Islands, and the conclusion of a militarj r pact. There is also a fourth demand, the nature of which is not known. It is now revealed that representatives of the Finnish Nazi Party recently went to Berlin to put the Finnish case before Herr Hitler. It is said, however, that they returned crestfallen, having seen neither Herr Hitler nor Herr von Ribbentrop, but only a minor official, who told them that while Herr Hitler sympathised with their case, Finnish interests were now outside the German sphere. ' ’ BROADCAST. WASHINGTON, October 15. The Finnish Minister to the United States (M. Hjalmar Procope), in a broadcast, said: “Finland wants friendly relations with Russia and Germany She will not surrender vital rights or sign an agreement incompatible with her independence, neutrality, and integrity.” ,

RETURN OF DELEGATION HELSINKI. October 16. The Finnish delegation has returned from Moscow. There is a report that Cabinet optimism prevails in regard to the prospect of a friendly settlement. The British United Press Helsinki correspondent says that thousands of people welcomed M. Passikivi, upon his return from Moscow, to confer with the Finnish War Cabinet, before again going to Moscow on October 20. WILNO TRANSFER RESENTED. LONDON, October 15. The Prime Minister of Poland (General Sikorski) and the former Pvesi dent of Czechoslovakia (Dr. Benes), have exchanged visits in Paris. General Sikorski said that the Polish Government did not recognise the German' occupation of Czechoslovakia General Sikorski has also exchanged visits with the former Primp Minisler of Czechoslovakia (Dr. Hodja). It. is reported that the Polish C-'v eminent has protested against the incorporation of Wilno in Lithuania. It is considered that the Soviet had no right to take such a step and that it was a matter for settlement between the Polish and Lithuanian Govet foments. SWEDISH PRECAUTIONS. LONDON, October V In Sweden, foreigners are prohibited from entering railway centres. ports and factories to take photographs or make notes. It is reported from Slo -ltholm that foreigners are being restricted to certain areas. A short while ago it was alleged that. Germans were collecting information about the movements of Swedish ships. On the strength of this information German submarines set out to sink Swedish vessels.

SOVIET.AND BALTIC. DISTRIBUTION OF FORCES. LONDON, October 16. The Rome radio announces that the Soviet forces to be stationed in the three Baltic States ‘Will total 7.0,000, of which 20,000 will enter Estonia bn Wednesday, for naval and air bases, 5000 following later. The garrison in Latvia will number 25,000, and that in Lithuania 20,000. A message from Tallinn says 11 Russian warships have anchored in Tallinn Bay. ON SLOVAKIAN FRONTIER. CERNAUTI, October 15. Refugees from Poland report the concentration of Russian troops and material on the Slovakian frontier. The Russians are fortifying the new Russian-German frontier. The adaptation of the' Polish railway system to the Russian system on the Lemberg-Kiev line is nearly complete. The Russians are transferring Polish rolling-stock to the interior of Russia. . _■ U.. “THE NAZIS SELL OUT.” SACRIFICE OF -MINORITIES LONDON, October 16. Under the sub-heading “The Nazis Sell Out in the Baltic,” “The Times” gives prominence to its Riga special correspondent’s quotation of opinion in informed circles there. This is that the withdrawal’ of the Germans from abroad to the Reich means that Herr Hitler has sold to M. Stalin Germany’s European colonial interests.

The correspondent says: Herr Hitler needed gold immediately; M. Sta-' lin would not pay in advance without the irrevocable relinquishment of Germany’s hold in the Baltic. So Berlin precipitately ordered the repatriation of Germans from the Baltic States. These are ancient outposts of the German Empire. They are paying with their bodies and their freedom for Herr Hitler’s conquest of Poland, and for the war on the Western Front.- The price in gold of these Germans is enabling •-’Herr Hitler to purchase ores from Sweden, and other war materials wherever procurable. The correspondent continues: The first irrevocable step having been taken. Germany sees that distress has been cause.l. She is now trying to alleviate this by slackening the pace. Since the Bishop of Poelchau,the head of the German Lutheran Church in Latvia, likened Herr Hitler’s voice to the voice of God. the spiritual distress of the maturer evacuees has deepened to a sort of unresisting sacrificial resignation. Indeed. some murmured. “We are being sold as live slaves for red gold—forcibly transported—transported to live on stolen Polish farms!” The- Paris wireless ’ stated that, when Herr von Ribbentrop went to Moscow, he aereed to M. Molotov’s'demand that all Germans must leave Finland. HELP FOR EVACUEES. (Received October 17. 12.10 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, October 16. The German Government is allotting £lOOO apiece, in cash, and kind, to penniless Germans, evacuated fmm the Baltic States, in order io set:!" them in the Polish Corridor.