FINLAND UNDER ARMS

Southland Times, Issue 23948, 14 October 1939, Page 5

FINLAND UNDER ARMS

Will To Peace Not

Lost OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE NOT TOLERABLE (Received October 13, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 13. It is authoritatively stated that Finland now has 300,000 men under arms, says the Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press. This is virtually the full strength of the Finnish Army, but it is estimated another 150,000 volunteers could be mobilized if necessary. M. Erkko, Finnish Foreign Minister, in a broadcast, said that Finland’s precautionary measures did not mean that she had given up the will to peace, but were meant to show that Finland could not submit to outside interference, malting her international and political activity dependent on something other than her own free will. In Copenhagen the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Ministers in Moscow separately sent notes to the Soviet Government urging respect for Finland’s independence. The Paris radio reports that the Soviet-Finnish talks last night lasted an hour. It is understood that the Soviet demands at present ate not fully stated, but the basis is apparently the cession to the Soviet of a small island at the entrance to the Gulf of Finland and territory in the Karelian forest. Helsinki was almost deserted during the night. Virtually half the population departed, even open cattle trucks being used to carry the departing crowds. The Prime Minister of Sweden (M. Albin Hansson) announced that he is convinced Sweden will be able to avoid an armed conflict, although all neutral countries must be on their guard to protect their legitimate rights and vital interests.

The gulf ports of Helsinki, Hango, Viburg, Burga and Kotka are reported to have been closed to Finnish shipping. Squadrons of So’viet aeroplanes are reconnoitring the Finnish coast and Red Army troops continue to assemble on the frontiers. 'The Lithuanian Parliament will meet on October 14 to discuss the ratification of the Russian Pact.

The Army begins the occupation of Vilna next week. The Soviet garrisons in Lithuania are expected to total 20,000, according to the German news agency. A spokesman of the Finnish Foreign Office expressed optimism and reiterated Finland’s appreciation of the sympathy of Britain, America and Scandinavia. The naval authorities have instructed shipping to leave the ports of South Finland and call at Western ports. NAZIS’ INCREASING DIFFICULTIES GERMANY FIRMLY HEMMED IN IN THE EAST NEW YORK, October 12. The advancing season and the heavy rain of the past ten days make it almost incredible that the Germans can launch a heavy offensive before the spring, says Mr P J. Philip, Paris correspondent of The New York Times. Besides, it is reasoned in Paris that there must be growing pressure in Germany against a suicidal war in the West while Russia seizes all the strategic positions and booty in the East. It is known that there are serious differences between Herr Hitler’s advisers and the German High Command over happenings in the Baltic States. Sympathy in many places in Germany seems to side with Finland. Germany has lost control of the whole of the eastern Baltic as well as immediate hope of access to the Black Sea and to those places the Fuhrer has promised to his countrymen. She is hemmed in in the East more firmly than at any time since Imperial Germany was defeated. APPOINTMENTS IN NEW ESTONIAN CABINET

TALLINN, October 12. It is officially announced that M. Uluots will be Premier in the new Estonian Cabinet, and M. Piip, Foreign Minister. ELECTIONS SUSPENDED IN BRITAIN (Received October 13, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, October 12. The British Government has introduced a Bill in Parliament for the suspension of local elections in Great Britain on lines similar to the legislation enacted during the last war. The Bill proposes that the terms of office of existing aidermen and councillors should be extended and that provision should be made for filling casual vacancies.