TOTAL SURRENDER DEMANDED

Southland Times, Issue 23989, 2 December 1939, Page 5

TOTAL SURRENDER DEMANDED

Threat To Raze Towns ABSOLUTE REJECTION BY FINNS (United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 1,11.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 1. Russia is reported to have sent an ultimatum to Finland demanding complete capitulation by 3 a.m. on December 1, otherwise Helsinki and all the larger towns would be razed. News of the ultimatum, reported at first without confirmation, came from Copenhagen. It was later confirmed by the Moscow radio. However, the Helsinki correspondent, of the British United Press reports that the so-called ultimatum hour, 3 a.m., passed without incident. The Finns assert that no ultimatum was delivered. The Helsinki representative of the Exchange Telegraph Agency says it is officially stated that an all-party Government is being formed. It is understood that it will make contact with the Kremlin through the American Legation today. Meanwhile, according to the newspapers, further raids are being withheld. It had been announced that the Finnish Government was resigning. M. Tanner, the Minister of Finance, was forming a new Government. The Government is reported to have empowered M. Tanner to endeavour to arrange an armistice before 3 a.m. on December 1. Parliament passed a unanimous vote in support of the Government’s policy. A former Prime Minister, Dr Kivimaeki, will be Foreign Minister in M. Tanner’s new Government, which is expected to resume negotiations today with the Soviet, after arranging a truce. There is absolutely no question of Finland surrendering to the Soviet, according to a statement issued by the Finnish Legation in London today. The official statement does not deny Russian supremacy in the air, but declares that no landings have been made from the sea. Small Soviet advances on land at some points are admitted, but it is claimed that at other points the resistance is firm.