Finns Reject Soviet Terms

Northern Advocate, 22 March 1944, Page 3

Finns Reject Soviet Terms

LONDON. March 21

The Finnish radio this morning broadcast a Government communique stating that Finland was unable to accept the Russian terms. According to Berlin radio; the Finnish reply rejecting the Russian terms stated that the Government could not accept armistice conditions without guarantees regarding their interpretation. The reply also stated that the Finnish Parliament was kept fully informed of negotiations and approved of the Government's attitude.

Although the Finnish Government aspires seriously to re-establishment of peaceful relations it cannot, however, accept in advance these terms which deeply affect the existence of the whole nation without even getting any &ife assurance of the interpretation and meaning of the conditions.

Clarification Withheld

‘•The Finns’ rejection of the Russian armistice terms caused no surprise except to wishful thinkers,” says the British United Press Stockholm correspondent. “It added nothing to what already was known in informed circles, but it was the first real information the Finnish public had received since the Finnish announcement which followed Moscow radio’s broadcast giving the armistice terms. Briefly, the communique confirms that Finland asked for clarification of the Russian terms and that Moscow replied that they must be accepted as they stood before negotiations could be started.

The Finns declined to accept them. The Finnish Parliament, in secret session on March *ll, approved of the Government’s decision to ask for clarification.

The British United Press Stockholm correspondent adds that Moscow’s failure to reply to Finnish rejection of the terms is making the people of Helsinki wonder what will happen next. Most believe it will be bombs. However, a few optimists still believe there will be counter-proposals. They maintain that, as Helsinki has not been bombed for some time, the door is still open to negotiations.

Moscow radio last night, in a broadcast, denied a German radio report of a new Russian raid on Helsinki. Meanwhile, the Russian Press suggested that the present Finnish Government is unsuitable to carry on armistice negotiations, which may be read as an appeal over the Government’s head to the Finnish people, asking them to get rid of the Government if all else fails.

Onus on Finnish Government Moscow has replied to the Finnish reply regarding the Russian armistice terms. The Moscow statement says that since Finland has turned down the Russian sixpoint armistice terms, full responsibility for the consequences must, rest with tile Finnish Government.