HOLDING OUT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23591, 27 February 1940, Page 7

HOLDING OUT

BESIEGED GARRISON FINNS' GALLANT STAND ANOTHER liUSSTAN REVERSE By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received February 29. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Fob. 25 It is rumoured that Russian troops have occupied the fortress on Bjorko Island, but it is officially stated by the Finns that the beleaguered garrison is still holding out, says a message from Helsinki. The Finns have captured two Russian airmen, who are believed to have participated in the raid on Pajala. Their aeroplane was forced down in Finnish territory.

The Finns retain Viipuri, but the extent of the Russian progress against the Finnish right flank is uncertain. Fighting on the extreme west of the Mannerheim area has developed into a struggle for command of the frozen Viipuri inlet. The Russians have occupied the shore of the Gulf of Finland as far as Kaislanti, south of Memara. .

A Finnish communique says: "We repelled Russian attacks on Saturday with heavy casualties and dispersed detachments and destroyed 17 tanks. We fought a successful defensive action north-east of Lake Ladoga." A later Finnish communique says: "Our" fire withered a Russian attack on Aittojoki. We drove back enemy detachments across the frontier from Suomussalmi."

A motorised Russian detachment reached the suburbs of Viipuri yesterday,. says the Borne newspaper II Giornale d'ltalia.

Twelve hundred parachutists simultaneously descended, intending to take the town, but they were dispersed by a blizzard before landing. All were taken prisoners. The motorised unit was therefore forced to retreat. The Russians are making, mass arrests at Murmansk and confiscating wireless sets. POLICY OF SWEDEN ASSISTANCE FOR FINLAND NO ENTRY INTO WAR (Received February 26, 5.5 p.m.) STOCKHOLM, Feb. 2o The Swedish Prime Minister, M. Hansson, states that the people of S>ve.den do not unanimously favour entering the war on behalf of Finland. Sweden has a mission to fulfil, not only in her own interests, but in larger connections. The Government will continue its policy, in spite of attacks upon Sweden, of helping Finland as a sister nation, while defending Sweden's own freedom. Forty-eight Swedish towns have each "adopted" a Finnish municipality, to which they are sending fire brigades, repairing-crews, and nurses. Norway and Denmark will be asked to follow suit. Sweden's Finland Fund now totals £1,237,000, BRITISH MINISTER ARRIVAL AT HELSINKI (Received February 26, 5.5 p.m.) HELSINKI, Feb. 25 The new British Minister to Finland, Mr. George Vereker, and his wife have arrived at Helsinki.

Formerly British acting-Counsellor at the British Embassy, Moscow, Mr. Vereker was imprisoned in Germany on December .17 last. He was en route to England before taking up a new appointment in Bolivia. Mr. Vereker had gone to Riga from Moscow 10 days before and embarked in an Estonian ship for Stockholm. A German cruiser intercepted the ship and took it to Swinemunde, where Mr. Vereker was taken off. The British Government asked the United States Embassy at Berlin to make representations to the German Government regarding the detention of Mr. Vereker. The German Government, having apparently satisfied itself that the British Government, in accordance with international law and practice, was not interfering in the movement of diplomatic or consular officers of- enemy nationality passing through British controls, decided to release Mr. Vereker, who arrived at Oslo on the evening of Christmas Day. Subsequently, he was appointed Minister to Finland.