Mannerheim Concentrates On Attacking Soviet Karelia

Northern Advocate, 16 September 1941, Page 5

Mannerheim Concentrates On Attacking Soviet Karelia

LONDON, September 15. h PUZZLING REPORT WHICH HAS REACHED VICHY n FROM HELSINKI SAYS THAT THE FINNISH GENERALISSIMO (BARON MANNERHEIM) HAS TRANSFERRED MOST OF HIS TROOPS FROM THE KARELIAN ISTHMUS TO THE NORTH OF LAKE LADOGA. The purpose of the move, which would remove the Finnish threat to Leningrad from the north, is stated to be to facilitate the conquest of Russian Karelia, which Baron Mannerheim promised Finland. Mannerheim is reported to have taken charge of the operations. The Finns claim to have cut the Leningrad-Murmansk railway where it touches the Svir River, and Finnish forces are said to be advancing towards Petrozavodsk, on the west shore of Lake Onega.

In Extreme North German and Finnish reinforcements are believed to have been introduced in the Salla region, where intense fighting has resumed for Kandalaksha. In the extreme north the Germans are attacking north-east of Petsamo, with the object of driving the Russians from the Ribach Peninsula. Denying that Finland had begun peace talks, the Finnish Minister for Trade and Industry (M. Tanner), in a speech at Helsinki, said: "There is not the slightest doubt that Russia will be defeated. Therefore a Russo-Finnisn peace would mean nothing. “Finland cannot have the slightest confidence in the present rulers in the Kremlin. Finland never wanted warlike adventures and has been led by force into the war. Finland only by accident has become a comrade in arms with Germany. Finland’s war is solely Finland’s concern. Not Party To Great War “We are not party to the Great War. We do net wish to become involved in a trial of strength between the great powers. “Finland has taken back her own from Russia, with interest,- but for both parties two wars have been a bad business. “So far Finland's aims have been purely military. Now that our frontiers are largely restored they are becoming political. “We obviously cannot at present announce whether we intend to cease fighting or to advance further. When our frontiers are secure our task will be ended, but our frontiers are still militarily insecure.”