Finns Rout In South

Northern Advocate, 16 December 1939, Page 9

Finns Rout In South

(Received 11.30 a.in.) LONDON, December 16. IT IS OFFICIALLY CLAIMED THAT THE FINNS ARE ENTIRELY IN POSSESSION OF THE DISTRICT OF TOLVAJARVI, ON THE SOUTHERN FRONT. The troops are pursuing the Russians, The battle in this area lasted for three days, and it is stated that two Soviet regiments were destroyed. The Red Army, however, is progressing in the extreme north, where four villages, besides Salmi,jaervi, are ablaze. ■■Throughout the night terrific explosions were heard on the Norwegian frontier, believed to indicate the blowing up of the nickel mines.

Holding Their Own. < Russians in Central Finland claim to have reached a point 67 miles from the Soviet frontier. The pressure against Sala is strong, but the Finns have received reinforcements, and are holding their own, inflicting heavy losses. Thousands of Red Army soldiers are reported to have fallen in this area. More men have been called up, resulting in almost complete mobilisation. The Finns have withdrawn their huge herds of reindeer from the district. Right, If Britain Helps. There is doubt whether it will be possible for the Russians, with their long, vulnerable lines of communication, to be .able for long to provision their troops. A Foreign Office spokesman welcomed the statemnt of Mr Chamberlain, and said: “If only Britain helps we shall be all right.” The Finnish Charge d’Affaires at Stockholm (M. Julio Erkko) said: “Finland can hold out indefinitely if munition supplies are available without delay.” The Archbishop of Sweden, in a message of sympathy to the Archbishop of Finland, said: “You are fighting for the things we all hold dear.” Appeal to Russia. The Finnish Foreign Minister ( 4 M. Tanner), in a broadcast, pleaded with M. Molotoff, to suspend hostilities and resume negotiations on Russia’s principles of self-determination of the rights of small people.

He recalled that Russia broke off negotiations, refused the United States offer of mediation, rejected. the! Swedish overtures, and flatly spurned the League of Nations. “The door is still open,” said M Tanner.

“But if Moscow aims at the complete conquest of my country, the Finns will fight on to the end. “The war will be fierce and will demand many victims, who will shed their blood when other possibilities have not been examined.” Finland has paid her semi-annual debt instalment of 234,693 dollars to the United States, says a Washington message.