U.S. MESSAGE TO SOVIET

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

U.S. MESSAGE TO SOVIET

PEACEFUL RELATIONS WITH FINNS URGED

SUPPORT FOR RED CROSS IN RELIEF OF SUFFERING (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received October 13, 6.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 12. It is authoritatively stated that the United States is expressing to the Soviet “its earnest hope that nothing will occur calculated to affect injuriously the peaceful relations between the Soviet and Finland,” says the Washington' correspondent of the United Press. The action of the United States is unilateral, is entirely independent, ana is without similar representations from other Powers. The American Ambassador to Moscow (Mr Lawrence Steinhardt) visited the Kremlin today and saw the Soviet Prime Minister (M. Viacheslav Molotov). ~ . A message from Moscow says that this meeting gives credence to the reports in some quarters that the United

States may be making representations on behalf of Finland. Later the Finnish delegation conferred with M. Joseph Stalin, the Soviet dictator, and M. Molotov.

The Washington correspondent of The New York Times says the decision to exert United States influence on behalf of Finland was Mr Roosevelt’s own, reached after weighing the possibilities that the action could be misconstrued b Moscow, the Scandinavian countries' or Congress. It was hoped that Russia would not construe it as unwarranted, that the Scandinavian countries and other powers would not believe that America was linking fortunes with other countries and that Congress would not resent it as undue interference in European politics. The first reactions in Washington showed that the latter fear was baseless.

“With the continuance of the war human suffering w : " become more appalling.” Thus the President of the United States (Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt) prefaced an appeal to all agencies contemplating European relief to coordinate their activities with the American Red Cross.

Mr Roosevelt also said: “While the United States as a nation is neutral, she cannot be indifferent to the suffering in war-torn countries, particularly women and children. “The continuance of the war will result in more appalling suffering, needing relief in addition to the Red Cross. I hope other groups aiding war sufferers will supplement, and not conflict with, the established agencies.”

CAUSE OF LIBERTY NOT LOST

GREAT WAR MACHINES OF ALLIES LONDON, October 12. The Foreign Minister of the new Polish Government (M Zalesky) broadcasting in English from London, said: “I have been deeply impressed by the determination of our great Allies to carry.on the struggle, no matter what sacrifices it might entail and no matter how long it may last. “To the capitals in the north and the south-east of Europe which might be wondering whether the cause of liberty has been lost in Europe I would say: ‘Be of good cheer—l have seen at work the war machines of Britain and France. Poland is also carrying on the fight.’”

RUMANIAN SOLDIERS TO DO FARM WORK

BUCHAREST, October 12. Tens of thousands of soldiers have been released to help with the autumn ploughing. The Rumanian Government has granted a loan for the relief of agricultural distress in Bessarabia. It also agreed to allow the Hungarian minority to send their children to their own schools.