Finns Have Not Reached Decision On Peace Offer

Northern Advocate, 16 March 1944, Page 5

Finns Have Not Reached Decision On Peace Offer

(Rec. 2 run.) LONDON, March 15,

The Finnish radio tonight indicated that a final decision regarding the Russian peace terms had not yet been made. A communique issued in Helsinki said that Parliament today discussed a report given the House yesterday by the Prime Minister (Professor Lii.'komies). Parliament, after hours of discussion, carried a motion passing on to the next order of ’ the day.

Reuter’s Stockholm correspondent says the motion, which is equivalent tc a vote of confidence in the Government, was passed by 160 to 40 votes.

One Finnish radio said the decision of the Government will be of much greater importance and consequence than generally assumed. The question must be asked whether the Deputies \yho are to give expression to public desire are in possession of all the requisite information. They must be able to appraise the situation from a full knowledge of 4he facts. If the Finnish leaders decide to make peace, or as seems more probable tonight, continue the war, Finland appears to be faced with grave internal trouble and even the threat of civil war. Fear Civil War

The Finnish Government is believed to be facing the following problem: If peace is made and the Germans are isolated in northern Finland, there is a danger that young Finnish officers and intellectuals, aided by some peasants, would join the Germans, establish an independent government in Rovanierni, and, with German help, start a civil war. Competent observers say even Marshal Mannerheim's prestige would not be sufficient to prevent this.

It is this perspective which is largely responsible for the Finnish Government's apparent lack of determination in the past month, continues Reuter’s Stockholm correspondent. Moreover, Finnish workers, according to a number of reports from Helsinki, favour peace. Observers are of opinion that continuation of the war might result in grave labour troubles. “Allehandas" Helsinki correspondent says well-informed circles consider the Finnish reply to the Russian conditions will be negative. Reactionary Coup?

“Halsingin Snaomat" says: “Are our members of Parliament equal to the difficult task? Has the Government, which should possess all the facts bearing on the situation, brought these to their knowledge? “Circumstances arose during the first phase of Parliament’s impending decision indicating that private members had not all the necessary available data. The way is still open, even if great skill and suppleness are required. “The Times” Stockholm correspondent says if Russo-Finnish contact is broken, advocates of continued attempts at settlement clearly fear some kind of reactionary coup and, significantly, unofficial feelers already have been extended about evacuation of Continental political refugees from Finland to Sweden. 35 Miles from Border

Meanwhile, according to reports from Turkey, civil disorder is convulsing Rumania. Panic is increasing as the Russian army drives towards the Balkans, only 25 miles from the Rumanian border. Reports say public services in Bucharest have been paralysed by prevailing confusion. Tram, train and road services have been dislocated. The German Gestapo and Rumanian police swooped on the main Bucharest rail station and rounded up many intending travellers for interrogation. Passengers were searched for uncensoi’ed letters and documents. All Rumanian Black Sea ports are under martial law, a sequel to strikes by dockers and seamen who are openly expressing sympathy for the oncoming Russians. Rumanian and Gei-man military leaders are reported to have met to plan a three-line defence system within Rumania to protect Ploesti oilfields from the Russians. Envoy in Cairo

Prince Stirbey spent the last day at Ankara, before going to Cairo, at the British Embassy, says Reuter’s Ankara correspondent. He received a special pass enabling him to enter the territory. An official from the Embassy accompanied him to Cairo. The Ankara .correspondent of “The Times” says that although Prince Stirbey does not officially represent the Rumanian Government, he is in close touch with Manui and other political leaders. The fact that he was allowed to leave Rumania confirms the impression that Dictator Antonescu approves the mission and, therefore, despite the vagueness with which the mission is necessarily surrounded, it is genuine and nothing in common with previous wholly unauthorised efforts to contact the Allies. It is believed that Prince Stirbey’s proposals will be: (1) Cession to Russia of Bessarabia and patr of Bukovina. (2) A request for Russian assistance for recovery of Transylvania. (3) Guarantees for Rumania’s independence and integrity. Similarly to Finland the main problem will be German troops in Rumania.