WAVE OF HORROR

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1939, Page 7

WAVE OF HORROR

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

REVULSION IN EUROPE RUSSIA CONDEMNED BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE DEBATE IN COMMONS

Rec. 8.30 p.m. London, Nov. 30. The wave of horror* and revulsion which was the first reaction throughout Europe to Soviet barbaivity has quickly given place to fears in the north and south of Europe of new aggressions. The Press of England and France conjectures what are Russia's further purposes in Scandinavia and the possibility of Herr Hitler using the developments diplomatically and strategically in the western war. Germany has remained officially silent, but the invasion will obviously impose a further strain on the loyalty to the Government, particularly of the army, many of whose i officers fought for Finnish independence, and of the navy which sees the Baltic becoming a Russian lake. In a statement in the* House of Commons on the Soviet attack on Finland, Mr. Chamberlain declared, amid cheers, that His Majesty's Government "deeply regrets this fresh attack upon a small, independent nation which must result in fresh suffering and loss of life to innocent people." To Mr. C. R. Attlee (Labour Leader) who asked whether the Government has received from the Soviet Government any statement regarding what appears to be an indefinable act of unprovoked aggression, Mr. Chamberlain replied: "No sir, none at all." He prefaced this declaration with a historical resume of the exchange of views which had been taking place for some time between the Soviet and the Finnish Governments "On certain questions mainly of a strategic character raised by Russia," some apprehension having been expressed by the Soviet Government as to the proximity of Leningrad to the Finnish frontier. After stating the claims understood to have been made by Russia Mr. Chamberlain said that the attitude of the Finnish Government was from the outset unprovocative. It is known that the Finnish Note delivered to Moscow immediately before the announcement of the rupture of diplomatic relations was of a most conciliatory character, the Fnnish Government having proposed to submit the disp.ute to arbitration and having offered meanwhile to withdraw its troops.

Despite a Finnish offer to withdraw all troops from the Finnish frontier in the Karelian Isthmus with the exception of the ordinary frontier guards and customs officials, the Soviet denouneed the nonaggression pact expressly designed to settle disputes peacefully, continued Mr. Chamberlain. Britain found it difficult to believe that strategic measures of such scope and importance as were suggested should be considered necessary in order to protect Russia against a small country like Finland. in announclng that Britain warmly welcomed the United States' offer of mediation, Mr. Chamberlain said that Britain believed the questions at Issue did not justify a resort to war and he deeply regretted this fresh attack against an independent small nation. (Loud cheers). It was quite obvious that Russia wanted to dominate Finland. Mr. Chamberlain spoke also of the warm welcome by Britain to the United States mediation offer. He referred to the invasion and the report of the bombing of Helsinki, Wiborg and other centres with loss of life.