RUSSIA AND FINLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23951, 28 October 1939, Page 10

RUSSIA AND FINLAND

All indications during tlie period in which Finnish delegates have been shuttling to and fro between Helsinki and Moscow have been that Finland has proved an intractable element in Russia’s schemes for extending her influence in the Baltic. While the precise terms of the Russian proposals, or demands, on Finland remain obscure, it has been obvious that the Soviet is exhibiting a renewed interest in the Aaland Islands, and it is assumed that a pact, reputedly for mutual assistance, is among the Russian aims. That such a pact would be of greater benefit to Russia than to Finland is the belief of at least one Finnish newspaper, and it may be that the Finns, apart from their hearty dislike for all things Communist, share that view which, however, cannot be bgsed on a consideration of the respective size and strength of the two countries. Finland occupies what may be described as a key position in relation to the other Baltic States. Terms satisfactory to Russia with all the countries on the eastern shores of the Baltic, such as have already been imposed on Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, would enable the Soviet either to immunise the whole of this zone from Western influence, perhaps to attempt its “ Sovietisation,” or to extend the sphere of Russian influence to way and Sweden and perhaps even to Denmark. Such a possibility has been envisaged by a Riga correspondent of the New York Times, who points out that the Aaland Islands could, in Russian hands, be directed as a spearhead against the Scandinavian States. If Russian domination were sufficiently extended through' Finland across northern Scandinavia, the ice-free ports of Norway might be used to provide the Soviet with an Atlantic seaboard. Such an argument is necessarily somewhat conjectural, in view of the inscrutability of the Russian diplomatic moves in the Baltic. It is clear, however, that the Baltic States are considerably perturbed at the Russian activities, and Lord Halifax has acknowledged that the position is regarded in Great Britain with anxiety. The resolute determination of the Government of Finland, in the face of what must be regarded as considerable pressure, not to be forced into making any extreme commitments with the Soviet, indicates that the small republic is very jealous of the preservation of her independence, and is prepared to take risks to assure it.