DEMANDS ON FINLAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 November 1939, Page 7

DEMANDS ON FINLAND

DETAILED BY M. MOLOTOV - .. . . .'. . . ■ ■ . ~ . . Refusal “Harmful To Peace” [BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] LONDON, November 1. The Soviet Foreign Commissar (M. Molotov) detailed the Russian demands on Finland as follow:— (1) Readjustments of the border northward of Leningrad. (2) The use of an area near the entrance to the Gulf of Finland as a Soviet naval base. ’ . - (3) The exchange of certain islands in the Gulf of Finland for territory in Soviet Karelia. (4) The disarming of certain fortified zones along the SovietFinnish frontier. (5) A Soviet-Finnish Non-Aggression Pact. (6) The development of Soviet-Finnish economic relations. M. Molotov declared that as Finland would only concede part of what Russia demanded, the Soviet had subsequently modified her proposals, but, he added, if the Finns continued in their, failure to meet the Soviet requirements, it would be harmful both to the cause of peace and the Finns themselves. . ;

FINNISH COMMUNIQUE.

SITUATION MORE DIFFICULT,

HELSINKI, November 1. The Finnish Government has issued a communique, which says: —

“By his publicising of the Soviet demands on Finland at the. moment'when the Finnish delegation had just left for Moscow to deliver their Government’s reply, M. Molotov has created a new and a more difficult situation.

“Hitherto the negotiations have been confidential, and Finland, independently and without outside pressure,' has tried to find a solution of the questions presented to her, despite the difficulty due to the policy of neutrality which she has adopted. In so doing, Finland has desired to meet Russia’s endeavours to secure her own security, without, however, risking Finland’s own security. It is yet too early to say whether M. Molotov’s . statement will in anywise affect the Finnish Govern-, ent’s viewpoint; but, in any case, it must naturally delay the continuation of the negotiations.” The communique adds: "The Soviet Union, in the Non-Aggression Treaty which it concluded with Finland in 1932, undertook to respect the frontiers fixed by the Peace Treaty of Dorpat between Finland and Russia, and also undertook to settle all differences peacefully. Finland relies on the belief that the Soviet Union respects this agreeemnt, the validity of which was extended to the year 1945 by an agreement made between the two countries in 1934.”

AGREEMENT VIOLATED.

LONDON, November 1.

The Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press states that M. Molotov’s speech created a sensation, as it is held to have violated an agreement that neither side should reveal the contents of the matters under negotiation.

The Government is now considering what steps shall be taken in view of the Soviet’s demands having been made public.

A THORNY PROBLEM

(Recd. Nov. 2, 1 p.m.). LONDON, November 1.

The British United Press Helsinki correspondent states that, while it is understood the delegation will refuse the Soviet demands, the Government has issued a statement to the effect that Finland will never allow a third Power to use her territory, inimical to Russia.

The Moscow demand for a naval base on the Finnish mainland, presumably Hanko, is expected to be a very thorny problem, because it would

permit the severance of Finland’s trade arteries at .will. The compensation of Karelia would merely worsen the defence position, by extending the frontier to include population alien in race and religion.

EXCITEMENT IN HELSINKI.

(Received November 2, noon). HELSINKI, November 1.

The Foreign Office spokesman, after getting into contact with the Government at the border,, said that the delegation had decided to continue the journey to Moscow, where . they will negotiate until the last' hope of reaching a settlement fades. The delegation desired to avoid the possibility of Russia claiming that Finland disrupted the conversations.

Helsinki, for the first time, is really excited. The l general opinion is that Moscow’s 1 claims are not acceptable, because the country’s security is threatened. . ■. .\ \ The newspapers point out that the Soviet demand for the fortified island opposite Baltiski, at the'mouth of the Gulf of Finland, would result in Helsinki, Viipuri and Kotka being under foreign control. OCCUPATION OF LATVIA LONDON, November 1. The Associated Press of America Liepeja correspondent states that four trainloads of Russian troops,' munitions, artillery, and lorries arrived at a military harbour, from which the Latvian garrison was evacuated beforehand. ..