RAIDS ON ARCTIC PORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24034, 4 August 1941, Page 8

RAIDS ON ARCTIC PORTS

DIRECT AID TO RUSSIA RESENTMENT OF FINLAND (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDOX, Augisi 2 The news of the attack bv British naval aircraft on the ports of Petsamo and Kirkenaes, in the Arctic Circle, is noted with special interest in the press. It is greeted as an example of neu- and more direct assistance by Britain to her new Russian ally. Tiie Manchester Guardian says: ''Althougli-they cost us heavy losses, the country will be stirred by the netrs of the Fleet Air Arm's attacks on the harbours ofvjvirkenaes and Petsamo, fog they were ouiv first direct military all to Russia. Germ any will wish to seSd most of her supplies to this northern country by sea, and both the harbours will be her main bases for the attack on Murmansk.

"As the Russian aluminium industry is concentrated on factories in the Kola Peninsula, on -which Murmansk stands, she will be particularly grateful for this kind of aid from us. Geography will force us for a long time to help Kassis more often indirectly than directly as in this last sally. There can be no doubt we shall do so not only by our raids 011 western Germany, but perhaps' by raids of another kind * and certainly by offensive action in the Mediterranean area." The Berlin radio, trying to make capital out of the British attack on the harbour works at Petsamo, said the raid caused a sensation in Helsinki, where it was emphasised that Britain started the war against Finland "without breaking off diplomatic relations. It added that iiai'-ftpair works" owned by Sweden were damaged. Finland lias issued a statement expressing regret that Britain _ mads public, before Finland received it, her reply to the Finnish Note announcing Finland's decision to break off diplomatic relations with Britain. The British reply did not mention the bombing of Petsamo on July 30. which caused loss of life and material damage. The bombing was carried out before the British reply was delivered. Further, this action was prepared before the Finnish Note was sent to London.

BLOCKADE APPLIED

FINNISH ASSETS FROZEN (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 2 Following the severance of diplomatic relations between Finland ana Britain, which does.not involve an actual state of war. proposals are being examined for an exchange of Finnish officials in Britain and British officials in Finland, says a British official wireless message. All communications have been interrupted between Finland and Britain, and all Finnish assets are automatically frozen. The Board of Trade and tho Ministry of Economic Warfare announced that Finland is regarded OS enemy-occupied territory for the P ur * poso of the Trading with the Enemy Act, and it is accordingly a punisname offence to have commercial, financial or other dealings with any person in I'inlnnd. Moreover, Finland will be regarded as an enemy destination f« r contraband purposes, and all goods originating or owned in that territory are liable to seizure. . The Finnish Minister in London, 31r. M. Gripenberg, was received on evening at the Foreign Office by MrAnthony Eden, who, acting on instructions from his Government, broke ott diplomatic relations between Finland and Britain. In consequence of this action instructions have been, sent to Mr. Gordon Verekcr, British Minister in Finland, to ask for His passport. . Regret was expressed in London that Finland, under pressure, had Income associated with an Axis Power aiW had been forced into this action. Press reports state that the Finnish Govern ment has requested the Swedish vjo v " eminent to .represent Finland in London, and it is thought that the United States Government may look alter British interests in Finland.