HOSTILE ACTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23619, 1 April 1940, Page 9

HOSTILE ACTS

§ "IMPERIALIST AIMS" ' FINNISH CAMPAIGN DEFENSIVE CHARACTER POLICY FOR. FUTURE By Tclesrraph—Press Association—Copyright {Received March 31, 5.5 p.m.) ,1: MOSCOW, March 30 Delegates arrived in Moscow from 'all parts of Russia, and also from Russian Poland, for yesterday's opening meeting of the Supreme Council of the Soviets, at which 'the Premier and Foreign Minister, JI. Molotoff, spoke. The agenda includes the ratification of the Finnish peace treaty. M.' Molotoff, in his address,, indicted Britain and France, but affirmed that the Soviet would not sake part in. us big war. However, he significantly warned gwedon and Norway against a defensive alliance with Finland, and, obviously referring to Turkey, snid: "Some of our -neighbours are playing with fire and •Hevelopments in Syria are suspicious." "Finland as Base" "There have-been many instances Jn the past five months of British and ■French hostility toward Russia," said ftl. Molotoff. "In the Russo-Finnish England, France and other. Imperialist States took part in the war .fagainst Russia because Finland was a ready-made base for military opera|tions against the Soviet. "This hostility culminated in Britain seizing two Russian ships and refusing to fulfil long-standing industrial orders, and in France attaching tho money of our Paris trade mission and requesting if. Souritz's withdrawal. "The explanation is the frustrated Anglo-French hope of using Russia against Germany. England nnd France wish to force upon us a policy of war against, Germany. Russia was not and will not bo an instrument of alien policy. , Will Continue Policy in Future "A review of the recent past reveals that we have achieved no mean suc- ' cesses in safeguarding the security of Ilussia. This infuriates our enemies, but wo have faith in our cause and in our strength. We shall continue consistently our policy in the future. "England and France seek to ratify their hostile acts against the Soviet on the ground that the Soviet is helping Germany in the war against them by trading with her. These arguments are not worth a farthing. German-Rnman--san trade is much more important than Soviet-German trade. Half Rumania's c.-nfcire foreign'trade goes to Germany. "England and France wisK to force : the Soviet into a policy of hostility and •ivar against the Germans which would give them the opportunity of utilising the Russians for their Imperialist aims. The Soviet always has pursued and , will pursue its own policy, regardless of whether-it-pleases the gentlemen of other countries or not. We will not take part in a big war. but will pursue an independent attitude. Finland and Her Supporters. "Finland, by 1939, had been converted into a military base for use by third Powers in an attack against Leningrad. Finland's hostility to Russiii last autumn was not accidental, buy the Red Army broke through defences which hitherto were regarded i as impregnable and not only prevented an attack on Leningrad,' but also frustrated the third parties' more extensive plans against Russia as a whole. "It was not an encounter with Finland. It was' an encounter between our troops and the combined forces of a number of countries hostile to Russia, including iiritain, France, Sweden, Italy, and the United States. "Our casualties totalled 48,745 dead and .158,863 wounded. Finland's are estimated at 60,000 dead and 250,000 .wounded." GROSSLY EXAGGERATED FINNISH CASUALTIES i (Received March 31, 5.5 p.m.) HELSINKI, March 30 The figures quoted by M. Molotoff in regard to Finnish casualties are described as grossly exaggerated. Finnish listeners were surprised that no reference was made to the Soviet's military alliance with Germany. LEAGUE'S ASSISTANCE FINLAND RECONSTRUCTION * GENEVA, March 29 The Secretary-General of the League of Nations, M,. Joseph Avenol, informed Finland that the permanent League Staff would - continue to give all possible assistance in Finland's reconstruction. League circles arfi of tho opinion that the Allies will do their utmost to / help Finland regain her feet. TRANSFERRED SHIPS NUMBERS FROM GREECE FLAG TO BE RETURNED (Received March 31, 7.50 p.m.) ' . ATHENS. March SO The Prime Minister. General Metaxas, Lis decreed that Greek merchantmen flying foreign flags must return the Greek (lag, within four months or face ' f ory heavy penalties. The decree is Bpecially aimed at 51 Greek vessels, totalling 200,000 tons, now flying the Panama flag. ! AUSTRALIAN AIRMEN ; ■':* - SYDNEY, March no The Federal Minister of Air, Mr. .1. V. Fairbairu, says Australia's first hatch of pilots, observers and air gun-| Hers,' fully trained under the Empire sir scheme, will lie on active service Abroad—where they are needed most—before Christmas. i