Finland Rebuffs American Peace Mediation

Northern Advocate, 14 November 1941, Page 6

Finland Rebuffs American Peace Mediation

WASHINGTON, November 13. The Finnish reply to the United States note, after asserting that Finland's attitude is that she desires to cease hostilities against the Soviet as soon as the dangers threatening her existence are eliminated and guarantees have been obtained for her future security, adds that suggestions that Finland has more far-reaching aims over-estimate Finland’s opinion of her own resources.

The Finnish note also says the Finnish Government does not believe Finnish occupation of areas from which Finland’s safety is continually threatened can conflict with American security or interests.

Finland, contrary to American assumptions, does not consider her i independence or freedom of action are threatened by Germany, and she ; wants to manage her own affairs. ; including her security, on the basis of ; national unity and the ancient northern way of democracy. Useful Tool for Hitler The United States Secretary for , State (Mr. Hull) said that Finland, in , rejecting the United States peace suggestion, had evaded the real issue. Many Americans, too, failed to under- | stand that Finnish forces were mak- ' ing an extremely important and effective contribution to Hitler’s cause by their part in the general war. Mr. Hull quoted Associated Press reports from Berlin which showed that Finland is moving into new military actions beyond her frontier. He said he still hoped the Finns might consider some of those democratic traditions that Americans had always associated with the Finnish people, and that the Finns were not irrevocably committed to collaboration which might mean the loss of their liberties and institutions. Offer Evaded Mr. Hull revealed that the peace offer submitted to the Finnish Minister (M. Procope) on August 18 was received by the United States Government from the Soviet Ambassador in Washington (M. Oumansky) on instructions from Moscow, but the Finnish Government had repeatedly asserted that: it had not received anything that could be construed as a bonafide peace offer. Mr. Hull insisted that if the Finnish Minister had sent to Helsinki a full report of the August conversation, there would be no question but that a genuine offer had been made. “Mind Ycur Own Business” Mr. Hull criticised German propaganda which obscured the vital concern of free democratic nations, and asserted: “German propaganda reaches the United States before the more rapid flashes from Finland." The Berlin radio said: “Finland’s reply to the United States will make Roosevelt feel he has been told to keep within his own bounds. Roosevelt’s pedantry has received the reply it deserved from our courageous Allies.” Door Not Closed A Helsinki message says the Foreign Office spokesman stated that Finland did not regard the door closed on further negotiations. The Finnish answer to the United States was a cordial explanation of her reason for her continued operations against Russia. Finland did not want to place obstacles in the path of future diplomatic overtures from the United States. A Zurich message states that the official spokesman in Berlin referring to Finland’s reply, said that Germany was pleased there still exists in Europe small nations who dare to give the right answer to America.