PLAIN THREAT

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

PLAIN THREAT

SWEDEN AND NORWAY ALLIANCE WITH FINLAND SITUATION IN NEAR EAST By Tele&raph-™Press Association —Copyright (Received March 31, 0.30 p.m.) MOSCOW, March 30 "Russia must range herself against attempts to violate the RussoFinnish peace, notably from Finland, Sweden and Norway, under the pretext of a defensive alliance," said M. Molotoff in his speech. "This obviously directed against Russia under a desire for revenge. "We consider the Swedish and Norwegian participation in such an alliance as an abandonment of their neutrality. We are at present not in conflict with Sweden and Norway, a.nd we do not desire their ports. "Our relations with Turkey and Iran a,re determined by treaties of nonaggression and we are resolved to fulfil our obligations. Fantastic plans which fire ascribed to Russia—a military campaign against India, Egypt, etc. —are obviously absurd, Allied Forces "But in Syria and the Near East generally, there is a suspicious hubbub regarding the formation of an AngloFronch colonial army. Any attempt to ase these troops for purposes hostile to Russia would demand our taking immediate steps against the aggressor. "Russia does not intend to retake Bessarabia from Rumania by war. "Our relations have not improved with Japan, which must realise that tho Soviet will not tolerate the violation of its interests. "Russian imports from the United States increased this year and could increase further if the American Government did! not. place obstacles in the way of Ilusso-American trade." M. Molotoff announced that the Kuuisiiiion Government had agreed to dissolve before the Russo-Finnish peace. The Soviet ."had agreed to tho formation of a, Russo-Finnish Karelian Republic. Press Wiiming to Allies The Moscow radio states that reports of the session of the Supreme Council will be given special broadcasts. Tho evening neirspaper Moskovski Bolshevik say,s: ft is time, tho British and French bloc ceased attempting to be arbiters, not ordy in European but in Northern European affairs. If they do not sufficiently take note of the changed relations of the forces in Europe so much the worse for them. The Soviet-Finnish agreement demonstrates the bankruptcy of the Allied policy. "The northern winds which blew away tho Daladior Government are shaking Charnberlaiu's also." SEIZED BY ALLIES RUSSIAN VESSELS LONDON. March 2tt The Ministry of Economic Warfare says two Russian ships, the Selenga and the Vladimir Mayakovsky, at Hongkong, are being handed over to the French authorities. Neither has been released as the examination for contraband is not completed. The Alllied navies have always cooperated :in contraband control, and it has been convenient to transfer the ships from the control of oue Ally to the other. Tie ships are suspected of having cargo destined for Germany. SOURITZ LEAVES PARIS (Received March 31, 5.0 p.m.) PARIS, March 30 The former Soviet Ambassador to France, M. Souritz, has left for Moscow.