PRESSING ON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23594, 1 March 1940, Page 7

PRESSING ON

RUSSIAN ONSLAUGHT FIERCEST ATTACK BATTLE FOR YIIPURI FINNS HOLDING OUT LONDON, Feb. 20 The fiercest attack of the war has brought the Soyiet troops within four miles of Viipuri. The Reds are bringing up fresh troops and a great amount of new material, but before the city falls they must expect heavy losses, as the country to be crossed is very rugged and heavily fortified. Russian forces trying to cross the ice of the Gulf of Finland were strongly attacked,and a large number of tanks, guns and men were thrown into the water. Crack Red Army units are leading the attack with renewed intensity. The Finns have ir.ade intense bombing raids on the Soviet lines, A rise in temperatures and the occurrence of fog.i lead to the hope that the weather is coming to Finland's aid.

BRITISH VOLUNTEERS MAJOR ROOSEVELT LEADER SERVICE IN LAST WAR By Telegraph—Press' Association—Copyright LONDON, Feb. 28 Major Kermit Roosevelt, the wellknown American explorer, now a naturalised British subject, will lead th.3 British volunteers in Finland. T:ie British volunteers are being paid 6t the rate of two shillings a day. They are being signed on for the duration of the Finnish war,Jbut will be released, if their own country calls for them.

Major Roosevelt is a son of the late Theodore Roosevelt (26th President of the United States), and has spent much of his life exploring and shooting big game in Africa and South America. During the last war he was given a commission in the British Army, and served in Mesopotamia as a captain in motor machine-gun units. He was awarded the Military Cross. Lator, on the United States entering the war, he transferred to the American A.rmy and served in France in command of a battery of artillery. Major Roosevelt, who is a second cous n of the present President of the United States, Mr. Franklin Roosevelt, became a British subject last September. Hei is 50 years of age.

AMERICAN BANKING TWO BILLS APPROVED BAN ON ARMS FOR FINNS (Received February 29, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 The House of Representatives to-day by 168 votes to 51 passed the Export end Import Bank Bills. It rejected by 106 votes to 29 a new amendment to pern.it Finland to purchase arms, but approved the Banking Committee's amendments permitting the use of loan fund; for commercial aircraft, but denying oans to war debt defaulters.

MONETARY GIFTS BRITISH LABOUR BODIES HELP FOR THE FINNS British Wireless LONDON, Feb. 28 The general council of the Trades Union Congress has decided to givo £loo} to the fund Ho aid the Finns sponsored bv the National Council of Labour. The object of the fund is to provide clothing, food and medical requisites for "Finnish comrades." It has been announced that the Durham miners are', proposing to send £IOOO to the fund, and the Belfast aircraft workers are to make a contribution to the Finnish Red Cross fund oub of the first national wage increases, which will bo received at the end of next week.

CANADIAN DEFENCES MINESWEEPERS ORDERED 'army trucks wanted (Received February 20, 5.5 p.m.) OTTAWA, Fob. 28 The Canadian Government has let a contract to British Columbian shipyards for 14 mine-sweepers at a cost of about 620,000 dollars each/ Also it is negotiating with Canadian factories for 1(500 Army trucks.

JEWS IN ITALY FURTHER RESTRICTIONS BARRED FROM' PROFESSIONS (Received February 29, 5.5 p.m.) ROME, Feb. 28 After February Italy intends to implement the decree of last June excluding .Jews from most professions, including medicine, law, journalism, engineering and accountancy. Exemptions will be granted to war volunteers, those who joined the Fascist Party earlj?, (and relatives of war dead*