AID FOR FINNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23482, 20 October 1939, Page 9

AID FOR FINNS

QUESTION ASKED STOCKHOLM TALKS INTERVIEWS HITLER SWEDISH EXPLORER By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 19, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON. Oct, 1R The .Kings of Sweden, Norway and Denmark nnd the President of Finland, accompanied by their Foreign Ministers and economists, met in conference today at Stockholm. They were concerned throughout the day with the neutrality problems of the northern States, says a message from the Swedish capital. It is understood that M. Erkko, Finnish Foreign Minister, outlined the Russian demands and inquired what assistance could he expected from the Scandinavian States if Finland was forced to resist aggression. Situation in Estonia The cutting off of all Estonian telegraphic and telephonic communications is regarded as the prelude to severe measures connected with the Russian occupation of the ceded bases, says a message from Helsinki. Soviet troops are entering Estonia in two columns from the north and south. Soviet aeroplanes are flying low over the troops to observe and prevent incidents by the population, while Soviet forces are landing from transports at various points along the coast. Finnish officials have a good argument against any Russian occupation •except of the little island near Kronstad, says the Stockholm correspondent of the New York Times. The three Kings, while wishing to urge Finnish moderation, must realise that even for themselves it would be a serious matter to accept Russian control of the Aaland Islands. Germany and Russia The. veteran Swedish explorer Dr. Sven Hedin, on his return from Berlin, declined to comment on his conversation with Hitler, but he intimated that it was of great importance. It is easy to guess that Hitler stressed that while the war continues Germany absolutely needs Russian support and can do nothing against the Russian expansion in the Baltic. Indeed, it is discreetly indicated that if the Stockholm conference could further peace on the Western Front Germany would recover her full possibilities of protecting the northern .States against excessive Soviet claims. There is an impression, however, that any confidence in German help has been shaken by current events, particularly German naval methods, and that the four heads of the States will not go beyond a platonic wish for peace. Norwegian Precautions The Norwegian Minister of Defence confirmed last night that Norway is taking steps to strengthen the Finnish frontier. The Rome wireless states that Russia is energetically requesting the return to Moscow of Dr. Paasikivi, the Finnish envoy. Finnish sources state, however, that Dr. Paasikivi will not go back to Moscow until Mondav.