STATE OF WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24142, 8 December 1941, Page 8

STATE OF WAR

DOMINIONS FOLLOW SUIT

GERMANY'S ALLIES BRITAIN TAKES STEP FINAL TERMS BEJECTEI) PUPPETS OF THE NAZIS (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON. Dec. 6 Communications were sent to Finland, Rumania and Hungary for delivery to-day notifying them that Britain would consider herself in a state of war with these counti'ies as from midnight to-morrow. There arrived before midnight a reply 'from the Finnish Government which was regarded as entirely unsatisfactory. It made it clear that the Finnish Government had no intention of complying with the terms of the British Note. Accordingly. during the night communications were sent to the three Governments to he delivered today by the American. Ministers in each capital. They contained the intimation regarding a state of war.

Officers from Scotland Yard have begun rounding up .about 200 registered Finns, Rumanians and Hungarians who are being taken to clearing oentTes for removal to internment camps. "Purely Defensive War" The Finnish Government had replied that it had no aggressive intentions but was waging a purely defensive war. The British Note pointed out it had become increasingly clear since July that the Finnish Government was waging war against Russia for the purposes of territorial aggrandisement. General Mannerheim on July 11 proclaimed it as part of Finland's intention to liberate Eastern Karelia, which at no time formed part of Finland. The Finns from time to time stated it was essential to reach a line which was never defined, but undoubtedly went deep into Russian territory. It was contended the line was essential for national defence. It was all too clear from what source this argument was inspired. It had become apparent in recent weeks that Finland was falling under German political influence and control. This was proved when the Finns joined the puppet States of Croatia and Slovakia in adhering to the anti-Comintern pact. Solidarity With Russia

In all the circumstances and having regard to the solidarity between Britain and Russia the British Government had no alternative but to make a final attempt to cause Finland to cease hostilities. The attempt had failed and the countries would be at war within a few hours.

If the Finnish Government persisted r in invading Russian territory a . situation would arise in which Britain would be forced to treat Finland as t an open enemy not only while the war T lasted, but when peace was made. If Finland would terminate the war ' against Russia and evacuate all terris tories beyond the frontiers of 1939 the 3 British Government would be ready to study proposals for an improvement of relations between Britain and Finland. Helping German War Effort The other Notes, in practically identical terms, declared the Hungarian and Rumanian Governments "have for months been pursuing aggressive military operations on the territory of the U.S.S.R. in closest collaboration with Germany, thus participating in the I general European war and making a ' substantial contribution to the German J war effort." , The Stockholm correspondent of the ' Daily Telegraph says Britain offered to k guarantee that Russia would carry out ! her obligations, and also offered to lift the Petsamo blockade to allow the • importation of foodstuffs and raw 1 materials. J Hungary's Reaction i A Budapest message says Hungary 1 rejected the demand in the British Note to withdraw from Russia. Count Bardossy told Parliament that the British demands were unjustified and he was convinced the nation was behind the Government in ignoring the British Note. Parliament unanimously approved the Government's attitude. The Budapest radio says Count Bardossv told Parliament that in reply to ; the' Note he said Britain should be • well aware that Hungary was defend- ■ inji herself against Bolshevism. Russia, • on June 26, brutally attacked Hun- ■ e-arian towns. Hungary accepted no . interference from Britnin, and accordipgly refused the British request. GERMAN PRESS FURY radio contemptuous (Reed. 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 6 The German press is furious over the British action against Finland. "Nothing could be more shameless than this declaration of war against Finland. Hungary and Rumania,' says the Voelkischer Boebarhter, while the Allegemeine Zeitung declares that Britain no longer knows anything about justice, honour or freedom. The Stockholm press has published streamer headlines, "Britain's Declaration," while Sweden regards her position as graver from this development. The Gorman radio, commenting, said the declaration was of no significance to Germany or her .Allies. Tt would he effective only if Britain were able to land troops on the Continent which was impossible. The British declaration. therefore, was to be regarded as bluff. The only conclusion was that Churchill was still prepared to fight for Bolshevism. SHIPS IN CUSTODY ACTION BY AMERICA (Heed. 8.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, replying to a question, said the British declaration of war on Finland would make no difference to American relations with Finland. The United States is taking into protective custody more than a dozen Finnish ships in American'ports because the arrangement under which Britain granted them safe conduct had ended. 1 It is indicated that the Maritime Commission will later commission the ships. • The Navy Department has announced it lias instructed the Coast Guard to take over six Finnish vessels in United States ports. The New York Coast Guard has 1 taken four into custody, the Aurora, of j 4956 tons, the Kuurtanes, of 302G tons, the Kurikka, of 3106 tons, and the ' Quirnaa, of 2001 tons. The Finnish Minister in Washington conferred with the Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, shortly after the declaration by Britain.

NEW ZEALAND'S ACTION fBY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] TrrWT T.T\TATA\T

WiKLIjIKUXON. Sunday It was officially announced to-night that a state of war had been declared with the Governments of Finland, Hungary and Rumania as from one minute past noon, New Zealand summer time, on Sunday, December 7. A Press Association cablegram from Ottawa states that Canada has formally declared war against the three countries.