The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1939. Finland's Plight

Northern Advocate, 4 December 1939, Page 4

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST”

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1939. Finland's Plight

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NEWS which has come from Finland during the week-end has been of a character to confuse as well as to alarm. It is always difficult to obtain reliable information about events which occur under the pressure of war conditions in an ’lsolated country such as Finland, and it may be that reports received later will contradict some of the news released so far. There is, however, evidence to support the belief that Finland has been called upon to contend with an enemy within its gates no less than the invader from across the border. The spectre of civil war has raised its ugly head. It is reported on apparently good authority that a section of the Finnish people located near the frontier have set up a Red Government, and, despite the protests of what has been called for the purpose of distinction, the White Government, have signed a pact of mutual assistance and friendship with the Soviet. They have agreed to the cession of a large tract of territory to Russia and approved what is tantamount to the Bolshevisation of Finnish territory and political methods. The White Government, on the other hand, has resolutely opposed any concessions to the Soviet, and, to the best of the country's ability, is offering stout armed resistance to the invaders, who continue to make use of the most dastardly means of warfare.

At the same time, it is evident that the Russians are not having' it all their own way. There come reports of the taking and retaking of Petsamo the only ice-free port on the Arctic coast of Finland. The Russians appearing in overwhelming force, the Finns evacuated the port, but later when reinforced, returned and recaptured it. There are conflicting stories as to the present situation at the port, but it is believed that the Finns are still'in possession. Large scale fighting has taken place at a number of points and Soviet bom Ding has had disastrous results in several cities, notably the capital, where great damage has been done. Latest messages report a Russian threat that 800 planes will raze the capital unless Finland capitulates. The population, however, seems to be manifesting the courage and resolution characteristic of the Finns as a people, and it is clear that the Russians will not be able to record a runaway victory, if, indeed, they succeed at all, though the odds are heavily in their favour at the moment unless Finland is supported by nations which so far have not gone beyond the stage of vocal protest. It is the question of the effect which the Russian invasion of Finland will have upon the general direction of the war against Germany that is the focus of attention at the moment. There are reports that the whole of Scandinavia will rally to the support of Finland. Self-preservation, apart from any other reasons, would seem to insist that a common front should be opposed to a common foe, for it surely need not be suggested that the overwhelming of Finland would simply be the forerunner of an attempt to place the Scandinavian countries in thrall to the Soviet. . The ideological aspect of Russia’s invasion of Finland must be taken into consideration. Indeed, there is reason to believe that it is already causing grave anxiety. The Papal “Osservatore Romano” sees in Russia’s action a huge plot for the BoisTievlsing of Northern Europe and the Balkans, and it stresses the seriousness of such a possibility. A Norwegian paper, the “Tidens Tegn,” goes so far as to declare that “there is world revolution on the march,” and adds that Germany should now see what forces she. has unleashed in Europe. This is in line with the fears of the Papal press mouthpiece, which has consistently warned Europe of the perilous position into which the Nazis’ general policy of aggression was driving the nations. Hitler was either unable to see the results of his action when he joined hands with Stalin, or he deliberately closed his ears to solemn warnings. Whatever the truth of the matter may be, he must now face the unpalatable fact that Stalm has out-manouevred him and ended his dream of world dominion. This development has alarmed the Norwegian “Tidens Tegn,” which goes on to suggest that the menace of Bolshevism should make the Allies understand that peace is preferable to a beaten and Sovietised Germany, and that the situation demands a strong British Empire and a strong Germany. This is not the first suggestion that Germany may yet have to fight with Britain and France against Russia, but the unspeakable horrors perpetrated by the Nazi regime make it imperative that before France, Britain and Germany enter an alliance, Germany shall be ruled by men whose word is thenbond. Many things of a dreadful nature will no doubt happen before the question of such an alliance will enter the realm of practical politics, but there is no doubt that Russia’s inyasion of Finland has created a new situation which may conceivably alter Europe’s outlook.