FINNS SUPERIOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23542, 30 December 1939, Page 7

FINNS SUPERIOR

; ALL BUT NUMBERS , RED ARMY'S REVERSE UNHOPED-FOR RESULTS * 4 IMPOSSIBLE ACHIEVED " British Wireless LONDON, Dec. 2S The progress of operations in the Russo-Finnish conflict is being closely studied in England. The newspapers'are agreed that in everything but numbers —strategy, tactics, efficiency, weapons and individual fighting power —the Finns have proved themselves superior to the invaders. The Times ' says: "AVhat three .■weeks ago appeared to be the impossible has come to pass. After intense and continuous fighting the [Russian invaders of Finland have met with a definite reverse. "Even those who knew most about ithe high standard of training and |valour of the Finnish Army, even those who doubted strongly whether Bolshevism had succeeded in turning the brave 'but clumsy Russian soldier of tradition into the military superman depicted on the glowing propagandist page, Ihad not ventured to hope for such a jeeries of victories. Resort to the Bully's Weapon "Outmanoeuvred, outfought and .tlecimated by the rigours of winter for which they were not equipped, although in no doubt as to its nature, the Russians are now almost everywhere back upon the positions which they gained in the first weeks of their onrush. In revenge they have chosen the feast of Christmas to 'resort once more to the bully's weapon which signally failed them at the first the bombing aeroplane./ "In the meanwhile, what is civilisation doing to aid this outpost standing .under the menace of barbarism? It is somewhat melancholy, if entirely natural, that among States which are neutral in the greater war at present in progress, the warmest response to jthc appeal of the League of Nations [to its members lias seemed to come prom those far from the scene of action, [whose help will not be able to reach the [Finns for a considerable time. "It is indeed right that those who Jcannot bring swift succour should none itho less make ready to bring it when jthey can, because this may be a long-jdrawn-out struggle. Desirability of Saving Finland "It is none the less urgent that the (greatest possible measure of assistance should be provided in the shortest possible time. "Swollen and Norway, in spite of (their l'ully justified anxiety regarding (their own position, have already accomijilished a good deal and arc prepared to do much more. The United States lias helped generously. Britain and prance have gone so far as to release certain munitions and supplies earmarked for the use of their own armies. P'he South African Government is releasing aeroplanes which had been intended for the defence of the Union. "All that these friends of liberty can <3o will not be too much. There is ample room, too, for private beneficence. If Finland can be saved, more than Finnish liberty will be preserved. Her 'salvation would be a triumph for Oiberty which; would re-echo throughOut tiie world.! 1 •)