THE PEACE OFFER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24764, 14 November 1941, Page 5

THE PEACE OFFER

FINLAND'S REJECTION AMERICAN COMMENT REAL ISSUE EVADED (Rec. 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 12. Finland, in rejecting the Uniteu States peace suggestion, had evaded the real issue, said the Secretary of State. Mr Cordell Hull. Many Americans, too, failed to understand that the Finnish forces were making an extreme ty important and effective contribution to Hitler's cause by participation in the gsnerai war. Mr Hull quoted Associated Press reports from Berlin which showed that Finland is moving into new military actions beyond her frontier. He said he still hoped the Finns might consider some of those democratic traditions with which the Americans had always associated the Finnish people and that the Finns were not irrevocably committed to collaboration, which might mean the loss of their liberties and institutions. Mr Hull revealed that a peace offer was submitted to the Finnish envoy, M. Hjilmar Procope, on August 18. It was received by the United States Gov-' ernment from the Soviet Ambassador, M. Oumansky, on instructions from Moscow, but the Finnish Government repeatedly asserted that it had not received anything which could be construed as a bona fide peace offer. Mr Hull asserted that if M. Procope had sent Helsinki the full report of the August conversations there could be no question that a genuine offer had been made. Mr Hull criticised German propaganda, which obscured the vital concern of free, democratic nations. He asserted that German propaganda reaches the United States before the most rapid flashes from Finland. The Finnish reply, after asserting that Finland's attitude is that she desires to cease hostilities against the Soviet as soon as the dangers threatening her existence are' eliminated and guarantees are obtained for her future security, adds: "The suggestions that Finland has more far-reaching aims overestimate Finland's opinion of her own resources." • The Note also says that the Finnish Government does not believe that Finnish occupation of the areas from which Finland's safety is continually threatened can conflict with American security and interests. Finland, contrary to the American assumptions, does not consider that her independence or freedom of action are threatened by Germany. She wants to manage her own affairs, including security, on a basis of national unity and ancient northern democracy. The Berlin radio declared: "Fin-, land's reply to the United States will make Mr Roosevelt feel that he has been told to keep within his own bounds. Roosevelt's pedantry has received the reply it deserved from our courageous allies."