TREATY RATIFICATION

Grey River Argus, 14 March 1940, Page 7

TREATY RATIFICATION

Yet to Come WILL MANNERHEIM.VETO IT? LONDON, March 12. All sources agree on the terms of the peace treaty. Russia, it is reported, gets the following:— (1) The whole of the Karelian Isthmus. (2) The Fishermen’s Peninsula in the far north. (3) Part of East Finland. (4) The entire shore of Lake Ladoga. (5) A base for thirty years of the Hanko Peninsula, on (he south-west of Finland, which the Soviet will use as a naval base. The British United Press Moscow correspondent states that Finland undertakes not to maintain warships, except small coastguard craft, nor aircraft in Arctic waters. Russia undertakes to withdraw her troops from Petsamo. Russia gains free transit for goods to and from (Received March 13, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 13. The Moseev? announcements of the settlements threw Scandinavia into the greatest confusion. Despite the Moscow broadcasts it was officially repeated at Helsinki at 2.45 a.m. to-day that’ there was yet no confirmation of the Treaty from Finland’s delegates at Moscow. It is stated that, although the Finnish delegates went to Moscow after Field-Marshal Mannerheim had explained to them the military situation, the final acceptance or rejection of the Soviet's terms might rest with him.

It is reported that Marshal Mannerheim knew of the British and French making an unreserved offer of help at the week-end. The Finnish Diet was still in session early this morning. It is believed that there have been stormy scenes in the Diet, especially after the news came of the British and French promise of aid

Changes in the Finnish Government are regarded as inevitable

should the peace terms b e ratified. XU is reported from Paris that the Finnish War Minister, M. bliukKanen, and the Education Minister, M. Hannula, have already resigned The Treaty, the terms of which include a non-aggression pact, must oe ratified within three days, and the instruments lor ratification must be exchanged in Moscow.

HELSINKI’S DELAYED INFORMATION. (Received March 13, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, March 13. According to a Stockholm message, M. Erkko (Finnish Minister), received the first news of the Peace Treaty from Moscow in the early hours of the morning before the transmission of the news to Helsinki, which was apparently still officially in the dark. OPPOSITION TO TREATY. REPORTED AT HELSINKI. (Received March 13, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, March 13. The Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press reports: ‘‘There are many indications of strong opposition to the reported peace settlement at Moscow. FINAL FIGHTING. AROUND VIBORG. HELSINKI. “March 12. There was severe fighting in the outer suburbs of Wiipuri. The Russians ring the city. Russia claims to have actually occupied the eastern and northern suburbs. A Finnish communique admits that the Russians advanced slightly on the north-west shore of Wiipuri Bay, although attacks on all other fronts were repulsed. The defenders of Wiipuri fought magnificently, while shells rained on the city, starting scores of fires. The Finns withdrew to prepared positions, as masses of Russians surged forward, paying a terrible price for every yard gained. RUSSIAN WAR LOSSES. HELSINKI, March 12. It is estimated that the Russian losses since the outbreak of the war total 300,000 to 400,000 and that thev are still losing men at the rate of 4,000 to 5,000 daily. FINNISH LOSSES. HELSINKI, March 12. The Finns are reported to have lost 2,000 young officers in the Isthmus campaign.