RUSSIAN REVERSES IN FINLAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20142, 11 January 1940, Page 7

RUSSIAN REVERSES IN FINLAND

STARVING REMNANTS RINGED KAI.I.TO REPEATS WORLD-WIDE APPEAL TOLL OF BOMBING RAIDS BY INVADERS GERMAN MEDIATION OFFER HINTED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Jan. 11, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 10. Helsinki messages state that large numbers of Russian troops are reported to be starving and freezing to death in the Sal la region as a result of the Finnish encirclement which lias now been completed, muting off the food supplies of the Russians. The correspondent of the British United Press with the Finnish north-eastern army says that the Finns defeated and practically annihilated the Russian Ninth Army Corps, comprising about 50,000 men during the battles between December 24 and January 7, in which the Finns overthrew the Russian 163rd, 164th and 44th Divisions. The President of Finland, M. Ivallio, in a world-wide appeal against Russian bombing, said that 100 localities had suffered, but considering that 4000 bombs had been dropped the casualties were small, partly owing to the air-raid precautions. A total of 234 civilians had been killed, 269 seriously injured, and 210 slightly hurt. Capture of Weapons In a month, 170 Russian planes had been brought down. The capture of enemy weapons had increased the powers of resistance. The Russians had treated the civilian population unhumanly. Norway’s Finnish relief fund now totals £280,000. A Moscow communique admits that the troops have withdrawn “several kilometres” eastward of Suomussalmi. The Copenhagen newspaper, Berlingske Tidende, reports an unofficial statement that Germany will shortly be offering mediation in the Finnish war. It is thought that Russia may accept as she customarily lights for a few months and then accepts a compromise.