FINNS APPEAL TO SOVIET

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21530, 18 December 1939, Page 7

FINNS APPEAL TO SOVIET

ASKED TO RESUME NEGOTIATIONS

War Demands Many Victims CTnlted Press Association—By Electric • Telegraph—Copyright (Rec. Dec. 17, 6.30 p.m.) HELSINKI, Dec. 16. M. Tanner (Foreign Minister), broadcasting, pleaded with M. Molotov to suspend hostilities and resume negotiations on Russia’s principles of the self determination of the rights of small peoples. He recalled that Russia broke off negotiations, refused the United States’ offer of mediation, rejected Swedish overtures and flatly spurned the League of Nations. He said that the door was still open, but if Moscow aims at complete conquest of the country the Finns will fight to the end. The war will be fierce and will demand many victims who will shed blood when other possibilities have not been examined. The Soviet Government spokesman declared that the Soviet was not aware of M. Tanner’s broadcast. The Belgian Chamber sent a message to Finland expressing “profound sympathy in the brutal aggressions” which was endorsed by the leaders of all parties. A message from Helsingfors states that more men have been called up. resulting in almost complete mobilisation.

RUSSIAN ADVANCES REPULSED

Heavy Losses Suffered United Press Association--By Electric leiegiupU—Copyright (Received December 17, 6.30 p.m.) HELSINKI, December 17. A night communique states that all | Russian advances were repulsed except lin the Petsamo district, from which the Finnish troops were withdrawn. | Fourteen tanks were destroyed in a | new attack on the Karelian isthmus. Russian naval units are very active on the eastern side of the Gulf of Finland. A Soviet war communique claims the capture of Salmijarvi, also an advance of 79 miles in the central zone and a “Successful advance” on the Karelian Isthmus. The hospitals in Leningrad are overflowing and the schools are rapidly filling with casualties from the Finnish war, concerning which the public are receiving meagre details. The newspapers at the outset, when the operations envisaged a glorious walk-over, were filled with ardent dispatches. They now publish merely three or four line communiques, none of which claims the capture of a single important centre. The newspapers publish the bare fact of Russia’s expulsion from the League without comment. A Moscow communique reports a continued advance in the Murmansk and Kutno sectors and insignificant skirmishes elsewhere. The Finns retreated from Salmijarvi. Observers at Helsinki say that the Russian losses are 50 ’planes and more than 100 tanks and armoured cars. It is estimated that 100 Russian lives have been lost for every Finnish life. The Finns recaptured Kuolajarvi, halting the two prong offensive toward the Gulf of Bothnia. “If Britain Would Help” It was officially claimed in Helsinki earlier that the Finns are in entire possession of the district of Tolvajarvi on the southern front. Their troops are pursuing the Russians. The battle in this area lasted three days. It is stated that two Soviet regiments were destroyed. The Red Army, however, is progressing in the extreme north, where four villages, besides Salmijarvi, were ablaze throughout the night. Terrific explosions heard on the Norwegian frontier are believed to indicate the blowing up of the nickel n ines. The Russians in central Finland claim to have reached a point 67 miles

from the Soviet frontier. The pressure against Salla is strong but the Finns have received reinforcements and are holding t’ own, inflicting heavy losses. Thousands of Red troops are to have fallen in this area. The Finns have withdrawn huge herds of reinde from the district and doubt whether it is possible for the Russians with long vulnerable lines of communication, to be able provide troops with provisions for any length of time. The Foreign Office spokesman welcomed Mr Chamberlain’s statement and said: “If only Britain would help we would be all ri;ht.” M. Erkko Foreign Minister), in an interview at Stockholm, said that Finland can hold out indefinitely if munitic’- and supplies are available without delay. The Arch’ ’-np :‘w?den. in a, message of sympathy to the Arshbishop of Finland, raid: “You are fighting for the things we all hold