NEW HITCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23486, 25 October 1939, Page 9

NEW HITCH

TALKS IN MOSCOW FINNS' PROBLEM FRESH INSTRUCTIONS ENVOYS MAY RETURN By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received October 24, 7.30 p.m.^ LONDON, Oct. 28 The Finnish delegation in Moscow may send representatives back to Helsinki to-night to obtain fresh instructions. It Is not known whether the Soviet has presented new demands, or whether there .is a disagreement upon Russia's earlier proposals. Russia, it is understood, is no longer claiming the Aaland Islands, says the Helsinki correspondent of the Daily Mail. Russia merely asks that Finland should not fortify them, and should remove the present defences. Military Alliance Question Russia, according to the Moscow radio, has also dropped its demand for a military alliance, and will be content if Finland pledges not to participate in any combination of Powers directed against the Soviet. The Finnish delegation upon its arrival at Moscow was met by a handful of comparatively minor Soviet officials. All the envoys of the Scandinavian States were present. The discussions with the Soviet representatives were resumed later. The negotiations appeared early this morning to be proceeding unfavourably for the Finns, states the Moscow correspondent of the New York Times, Mr. G. E. R. Gedye. It is impossible to communicate with Finnish circles. Brief Conference The Finnish delegation, it is rumoured, left the Kremlin after a comparatively brief conference, in which no progress was made with the negotiations. Non-Finnish circles in Moscow believe there is slight prospect of a solution at present. Earlier, it was obvious that there was less nervousness, in Finnish circles than before the Scandinavian conference. The Russians are most optimistic of a peaceful settlement satisfactory to both countries. The Berlin official news agency states that M. Stalin, the Soviet Premier, and the Foreign Minister, M. Molotoff, conducted the conference. Reports from Moscow, stated a Finnish Foreign Office spokesman earlier, showed that the negotiations were proceeding normally, and justified hopes for a settlement. MILITARY PRESTIGE DOUBTB OF EFFICIENCY SITUATION IN THE BALTIC (Received October 24, 7.8 p.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 23 Discussing the slowness of the Russian entry into Estonia the Tallinn correspondent of the New York Times, Mr. Otto D. Tolischus, says there is a growing impression that Russia's military efficiency is not great. Cumulative reports of hitches in railway and marching schedules and of breakdowns of motorised units are puzzling. Russia at the moment is not interested in increasing her present gains and is likely to avoid a smash-up- of the Baltic States during the war if only to save the prestige of her military and economic efficiency. But the Baltic States are living in fear. There is even a note of anxiety in statesmen's speeches adjuring Russia to adhere to the basis of her agreements. Fear is caused by the threat of Sovietisation in spite of Stalin's assurances. Anxiety is supported by fear of action similar to that at Vilna, where people are reported to have been executed by self-appointed Soviets who shot bourgeois leaders before the Russians arrived. However, the presence of the Russians is visibly enlivening the most active radicals. ONE GOOD TURNFINN MINISTER AND STALIN LONDON, Oct. 04 The Finnish Finance Minister, M. Vaino Tanner, who is taking part in the discussions in Moscow, has met M. Stalin before. He found M. Stalin shelter from Tsarist attention in 1905. The Finnish Minister has taken with him to Moscow a letter signed by M. Stalin thanking him. and promising to help the cause of Finland's independence. FRENCH BUDGET PENDING (Received October 24, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, Oct. 23 The French Parliament will meet in November when the 1940 Budget will bo submitted.