NOT FULLY KNOWN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20067, 13 October 1939, Page 7

NOT FULLY KNOWN

SOVIET DEMANDS WASHINGTON WAIT DELICATE SITUATION FINNS’ COURAGE ADMIRED SYMPATHY OF AMERICA (Reed. Oct. 13, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 12. The Washington correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that the United States is prepared to throw her diplomatic weight into an effort to preserve peace in the Baltic, but officials want to await further word from Moscow. Apparently the Russian demands are not yet known.

The Washington State Department, in a statement yesterday said that no diplomatic approaches had yet been made to Russia. Diplomats interested in the Powers said the situation was too delicate to discuss.

The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says, that Fin' land’s absorption by .Russia would cause a wave of resentment in the United States greater than that at the overrunning of Poland.

The New York Times, in an editorial, says: “In their courageous stand, the Finns have the sympathy of all Americans, not only because of their unique record in paying all their debts, but because in 20 years they have built up a free, sound, and ' enlightened State. No nation in Europe better deserves to survive.” Reception of Delegation The Moscow correspondent of the New York Times, Mr. G. E. R. Gedye, states that it is politically signiflean that the only persons, other than Soviet and Finnish officials to receive the Finnish delegation were the Swedish Minister and his entire staff.

“The negotiations with Finland art of a very different character frorr those with other Baltic States,” continues the correspondent. “The latte: were aware that they were not only helpless but the Soviet claims on them had a certain moral justifies tlon as Russia was without an icefree port on the Baltic. “Finland, despite a population o' only 4 090.000 has a well-trained army and also has a large marshly from tier which is unsuitable for rapid military operations. Furthermore, Fin land is assured of strong bacKmj from Sweden, which i= capable o' putting 650,000 men in the field. How ever, it should not be suggested tha the Finns are coming in a truculen spirit. “Although the Finns have resolutely refused to admit it, if proper

■ompensation were offered, they right eventually consider a proposal cede or permit the Soviet to fortiHough Island and three other small islands far from the Finnish coast dominating Kronstadt, which angeographically part of Russia rather than of Finland. “Further demands which are posdbly contemplated for bases on the Finnish mainland or the cession of the northern corridor at Petsamo will certainly meet with the stoutest opposition. Any demands affecting the Aaland Islands could not be rolerated by Sweden which might well decide in such an event to occupy the islands herself. The Finns hope that the Soviet demands will be mainly commercial, to which they will be most ready to listen.’'