FINNS STRIKE BACK AT RUSSIANS

Southland Times, Issue 23990, 4 December 1939, Page 7

FINNS STRIKE BACK AT RUSSIANS

Recapture Of Petsamo Reported NEW CABINET SET UP IN HELSINKI (United Press Association —Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 3, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 2. The Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press states that the Finnish Army is striking back against a four-fold invasion, in the north, in the centre, around Lake Ladoga and along the Karelian Isthmus. Refugees who swelled the population four .times of the border village of Svanvik explained the orderliness and foresight of the Finnish action at Petsamo, which the Finns recaptured. A squadron of Russian warships, attended by aeroplanes, approached the port, compelling the defenders.to withdraw until they could engage the enemy on the land. The Finns sank every vessel in the harbour, blocking the fairway, and also detonated mines embedded in the face of the cliffs, flying rock fragments being as effective as artillery. When eventually the invaders landed quays and roads were exploded as fresh mines went off. The retreating Finns set fire to the port in order to delay the Russians and then struck back. Petsamo is now a heap of ruins. A reinforced Russian attack is expected. A new Finnish Government has been re-formed on a wider basis under M. Risto Ryti, governor of the Bank of Finland. The new Cabinet is, welcomed as a strong Coalition. It is now forming plans to negotiate with the Soviet.