“TERROR OF WOODS”

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 December 1939, Page 7

“TERROR OF WOODS”

FINNISH SNIPERS AND MINES

NEW OFFENSIVES BY RUSSIANS [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] ~r.; (Recd. December 7, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, December 6. The Finns are more than holding their own in places where the enemy cannot rely on the success of numbers of mechanised forces. Russian prisoners tremble when they refer to the’“terror of the woods.” There are Finnish snipers mounted on special lightweight skis, on which they shoot with deadly aim. They lurk among the trees. In addition, countless mines are artfully hidden under the snow. This Finnish corps may prove a most important factor, as the Russians are poor skiers. It is claimed that continued snow provides a defence equal to eight batteries of heavy artillery. The Russian losses thus far are almost certainly higher, but the Finns will be severely tested by the new Russian offensives, which, based on steam-roller tactics, and launched at carefullyselected points, will incorporate tanks, armoured cars, and aeroplanes. It is reported that huge reinforcements of troops are being sent tothe front.

In addition to the occupation of Kuolajarvi, the Russians are believed to iiave launched a big offensive in,. the Karelia and Lake Ladoga dis. ■tricts. V Helsinki reports admit that Russian thrusts penetrated as much as 30 '.miles. ’ . Confirmation has been received of a.. sensational Finnish raid on Murmask. It is claimed that 15,000 Russians i surrendered, owing to lack of food. i A Helsinki report says that Soviet bombers were forced down in a wood ■ near Salmi, during a blizzard and were idestroyed by fire. KUOLAJARVI OCCUPIED LONDON, December 6. . *The Russians have occupied Kuolajarvi, according to the Helsinki correspondent of the Copenhagen newspaper “National Tidende.” Military.'authorities in Helsinki'believe that this probably marks the beginning ; 6f a new Russian offensive, designed to cut Finland in two. The Moscow correspondent of “The Times’” believes that thej Finnish campaign will cost Russia the lives of 15,000 troops. HEAVY RUSSIAN LOSSES. ' ‘i <Z& $ LONDON, Dfe>mJs>er 6. A Finnish communiqueWys.that 64 Russian tanks' were captured, _ and 2000 Russians were killed in a single fight. Finnish reconnaissance flights have been successful, and two aeroplanes were shot down. The Russians are using dum-dum bullets. Leningrad discounts' the Finnish claims and admits the loss of four aeroplanes and no.. tanks.,. FINNISH ANNIVERSARY. ■ LONDON, December 6. Although it was the twenty-first anniversary of Finland’s release from the last bondage, there was no celebration to speak of in-Helsinki, which, with only 50,000 people remaining, is fully prepared for a large scale resumption of hostilities. ,

MR ROOSEVELT’S MESSAGE. WASHINGTON; 'December • 6. Mr Roosevelt cabled’ to President on the occasion of the anniversary of Finnish independence, as follows: “My earnest hope is that these tragic days may not be long in giving way to a happier era.” SCANDINAVIAN CONFERENCE. STOCKHOLM., December 6. Norway has invited Sweden and Denmark to confer on? th& RussianFinnish crisis on It is officially stated that- ttid Scandinavian countries must discuss all means to get peace negotiations wTL.ey assume this i also was the basis ‘of Finland’s appeal to the ■ The Finnish and Swedish Governments have notified the League of Nations that : they are.- mining their territorial waters ? $6 the Aaland Islands. ' ITALIAN VOLUNTEERS. NEW YORK, December 5. The Rome correspondent of the “New York Times” states that 100 students petitioned the Fjpriish Ambassador for ’ permission fto Wflght the Russians. <•- Italians are reported to be Aying ■the Italian /aeroplanes recently sold to Finland. & :• It seems that..anothey international brigade is being formed, this time against Communism . _ • The Government is not acting officially,. but nbt objecting to Italians volunteering. Undoubtedly, thousands of ~ Italians would spontaneously and genuinely volunteer.

CHAMPION OF DISHONESTY BITTER ATTACK ON SOVIET (Recd. Dec. 7, 12.10 p.m.) OLSO, December 6. The newspaper “Aftenposten” bitterIly attacks the’ Soviet. “World’s history,” it says, “has many , examples of lies and fallacies, but the Soviet is now the champion of cynical dishonesty. Recent events have shown that the Soviet is deep in the swamp of barbaric unfairness. It is unthinkable that the League of Nations can trust M. Molotov’s note of December 4.” NO ■’ GERMAN INTERVENTION., LONDON, December 6. It is reported', from Berlin that Germany will not intervene in the Russian-Finnish dispute. assistance ■MR ROOSEVELT’S PROPOSAL. NEW YORK, December 5. Mr Roosevelt has proposed that the United, States,'.should ', give Finland practical help by setting aside the war debt payment of 234,693 dollars which Finland has announced she is making as usual on December I's, Tn a special fupd available Ito the ..Finns when needed,- possibly to aid refugees and . wounded, K h ; Mr Roosevelt''said 1 that the plan would need the approval of Congress, and he would, ask for this .when he convened Congress on" 'JaifUaty 1. Meantime, he has directed the Treasury,..which, is, legally obliged to accept the payment, to place the sum in a suspended account pending action by Congress. . , . ■ Mr .'Herbert Hopverf* the former President, is endeavouring to coordinate American contributions for the homeless in Finland. A Finnish relief committee, representing 40 Finnish groups, is launching a campaign for the. collection of 1,000,000 dollars for. Res?\Cross purposes. A non-Finnish “American Committee to Aid’, Finland” is seeking 250,000 dollars for a similar purpose. The Finnish Consulate has granted 400 visas to Finns returning to fight. Many. Americans are financing the Finns’ passages,. 1 / ’ SITUATION REVIEWED FINNISH CONSUL’S STATEMENT. WELLINGTON, December 6. The following points relating to the present situation between Finland and Russia are set out by the Consul for Finland in Sydney (M. Paavo Simelius) in a letter dated November 30 to Mr H. J. Buck, ViceConsul for Finland in New Zealand. (1) Peace between Finland and the Soviet was made in 1920 at Dorpa!; when both States agreed on a century-old border line in those parts where the Russians are making claims now. . I (2) A non-aggression pact betweeh these States was signed in 1932 and was renewed in 1934, and was to be in force until 1945. (3) Finland was not a result of tho last world war, because it already had full autonomy during the 110 years it belonged to Tsarist Russia. ' The Tsar of Russia was at the .same time Grand Duke of Finland; ’’but Finland, unlike the present Baltic States and Poland, had its own law's, diet, monetary system, etc. (4) The Finnish people form a national unity, and there does not exist a Russian' minority in Finland. M. Simelius added: “I have not received any information from my Government; bv.t I am quite convinced that the/Russian accusations that Finnish .soldiers . were guilty of frontier violation are utterly untrue.”