LATE NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23955, 2 November 1939, Page 8

LATE NEWS

THE SOVIET DEMANDS ANNOUNCEMENT A BREACH OF FAITH HELSINKI, Nov. 1. (Received Nov. 2, at 2 a.m.) A Government communique says: “ By publicising the Soviet demands at the moment when the Finnish delegation had just left for Moscow to deliver their Government’s reply, M. Molotov created a new and most difficult situation. Hitherto the negotiations have been confidential and Finland independently and without outside pressure tried to find a solution of the questions presented to her, despite difficulty due to the policy of neutrality she has adopted in so doing. Finland desired to meet Russia’s endeavours and ensure her own security. It is too early to say whether M. Molotov’s statement will in any way affect the Finnish Government’s viewpoint, but in any case it must naturally delay continuation of the negotiations.” The communique adds: “ The Soviet Union, in the non-aggression treaty concluded with Finland in 1932, undertook to respect the frontiers fixed by the peace treaty of Dorpat betwen Finland and Russia, and settle all differences peacefully. Finland relies on the Soviet Union to respect this agreement, the validity of which was extended to 1945 by agreement between the two countries in 1934.” GERMANS USING HEAVY GUNS FRENCH VILLAGES POUNDED (By Radio) On the Western Front the Germans have brought their heavy Siegfried line guns into action against the French fortifications and lines of communication. Some reports say that shells are reaching villages some miles behind the French front -line. During the last 24 hours R.A.F. planes have made successful reconnaissance flights over north-western Germany and have now returned safely. Important photographs were obtained. NEWS FROM GERMANY RESTRICTIONS TIGHTENED DAVENTRY, Nov. 1. News from Germany is likely to be scantier than ever in the future. Further restrictions are to be imposed on news leaving for neutral countries and also on the correspondents of foreign newspapers. The pretext given for this action is that enemy spies have been taking advantage of the so-called “ unrestricted facilities” that have so far obtained. GERMAN SHIPS IN HIDING PURCHASED BY RUSSIA DAVENTRY, Nov. 1. Russia is reported to have agreed to buy all the German merchant ships hiding in Russian ports. The correspondent of a Danish paper says that these ships will soon be at sea again under the Hammer and Sickle.