NO AID FOR FINLAND

Southland Times, Issue 23991, 5 December 1939, Page 7

NO AID FOR FINLAND

NEARBY STATES INACTIVE

SURPRISE IN FOREIGN CIRCLES IN MOSCOW M. RYTI'S REFERENCE TO NEUTRALS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. December 4, 8.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 4. The Moscow correspondent of The New York Times, G. E. R. Gedye, says that the Scandinavian countries’ failure to support Finland is surprising foreign circles. It is believed that a firm Swedish-Norweg-ian declaration of solidarity with Finland would have prevented the attack. Also a hint that they would fight sooner than see Finland swamped might provide Russia with a welcome opportunity to escape from the affair creditably. The Prime Minister of Finland (M. Ryosto Ryti), broadcasting throughout the United States, said that Finland would continue the struggle, however unequal. He denied that Finland had received advance promise of aid or advice to fight. “Whatever our fate, through our fight and sufferings we will be furthering the creation of a better world,” said M. Ryti. “In defending her own liberty Finland is defending the liberty of nations not immediately threatened. If Finland perishes it will only be because the civilized nations have not the necessary solidarity to enable the protection of the weak from violence. Neutral States may not be allowed to be indifferent to the fate of other neutral States. Indifference of this kind will be digging the grave of nations who desire to build an existence on justice and respect of laws, but whose means are inadequate to resist a superior invader.” The newspaper Svenske Dagbladet says that the urgent question is whether Sweden should immediately and effectively aid Finland. The alternative might he that Sweden would have to face the Russian demands alone if Finland were conquered.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMMUNIQUES LONGER STATEMENT MADE BY GERMANS LONDON, December 3. The French communique stating “nothing of importance throughout the night,” contrasts with the German communique, which states: “The enemy is applying carelessly in some places. Enemy entrenching work south of Manodern was I harassed by our artillery and machineIgun fire. The enemy’s artillery shelled ■fiamelsberg, Oberperl and also Mains- ' berg Castle. There also is increasing harassing fire in other sectors. The enemy light and medium artillery bombarded between the Moselle and Bueschdorf throughout the day. Minor fights between German fighting aeroplanes and enemy aircraft yielded no results.” A Berlin report states that the German official wireless announces that an “unsuccessful” British air raid on Heligoland was driven off at noon. ILL-TREATMENT OF POLISH_JEWS MANY EXECUTED BY NAZIS VILNA, December 4. The Jewish Telegraph Agency reports that 100 Jews have been executed in the German portion of Western Galicia. Almost all the synagogues have been burned down.

The Nazis are reported to have massacred 200 Jews at Dynow and 40 at Usicie and Solne, near Cracow, and to have shot 19 at Limanowa, Sanok, and neighbouring districts. Nine hundred families were expelled from Sanok.