HOSPITALS FULL IN RUSSIA

Southland Times, Issue 24011, 29 December 1939, Page 5

HOSPITALS FULL IN RUSSIA

SOVIET ONSLAUGHT EXPECTED ATTEMPT AT WIIPURI FAILS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 28, 10.10 p.m.) LONDON, December 28. The Moscow correspondent of The Daily Telegraph states that the populace hears of the Leningrad hospitals being crowded with civilian patients evacuated from the largest hospital in Moscow. The schools in Leningrad are closed ostensibly as an air-raid measure, but really to provide bed space for wounded soldiers, while local hospitals are filling up. The Russian onslaught is expected to be launched on several fronts in an effort to force a decision before the snow prevents it. The Russian attempt to penetrate the Mannerheim’ Line near Wiipuri appears to have collapsed.

Wave after wave of assault troops lost their lives on the frozen lakes which the guns smashed beneath their feptf The Russians continue their aerial activity, while long-range howitzers shell Wiipuri.

. The Finns note that the Russians take little care of their wounded, who. are left to die of cold and exposure. This indifference is exemplified by the absence of identification badges customary in all other armies. The Red Army has been hurled back at all points, states a message from Helsinki. It is gathering strength again in the hope of smashing the Mannerheim Line between Lake Ladoga and the Gulf of Finland. The Finns repulsed three assaults in 24 hours, but the conflict continues to rage. CAPTURE OF TANKS A Finnish communique refers to heavy gunfire and records the capture of eight tanks and some German-made ammunition. Heavy snow has halted the Russian offensive at Petsaino. The Moscow correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that Russia is calling up more men. A Russian communique briefly reports the assaults on the Mannerheim Line on December 26 as petty skirmishes and the widespread bombing of South Finland as reconnaissance flights. Everything is being done to induce the Russian public to forget that the flower of their forces is concentrated against Finland. This conspiracy of silence is futile. Despite the demonstrations attending M. Stalin’s birthday and the elections there is a.secret tension because of the public learning of the ghastly casualties in what was originally represented as a mere man hunt of Finnish policemen and White partisans by an overwhelming Red force. The Swiss Cabinet has given £5OOO to the Finnish Red Cross. Two thousand Italians are reported to have volunteered for service in Finland. Another detachment of Swedes has gone to Finland. Two members of the Danish Air Force have deserted and joined the Finnish Flying Corps.