CIVILIANS STAY IN CELLARS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21555, 18 January 1940, Page 7

CIVILIANS STAY IN CELLARS

Fifth Day of Soviet Bombing Shelter Trench Hit United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 17, 6.30 p.m.) HELSINKI, January 16. The Russians bombed the southern areas for the fifth consecutive day. Civilians stood for hours in A.R.P. cellars on the coldest day in 10 years. Russian airmen mercilessly demolished the Aekenaes Hospital and set fire to houses in Hanku and Turku. They blew 30 people to pieces when a bomb landed in a crowded shelter trench. A Finnish communique states that 70 to 80 Russian ’planes bombarded interior towns and the Finns bombed enemy troops. A thousand bombs and more than 1000 heavy shells struck Bjorke, which is the site of the Finnish heavy naval guns guarding the right wing of the Mannerheim Line. Fighting on the Karelian Isthmus is confined to artillery activity. The Finns destroyed the Soviet field headquarters, wiped out two patrols, totalling 80 men, halted two Soviet battalions which were attacking on the I.'thmus, and disrupted supply and mechanised columns. A Government counter-espionage campaign resulted in the execution of a number of Russian agents. A German commercial attache resigned in order to join the Finnish army. The Esthonian population of the Russian occupied port of Baltiski has been evacuated. The Esthonian Minister at Moscow protested against the Russian capture of an Esthonian ship, the Vega. A Russian submarine sank

the Kassari and several Esthonian fishing boats. Many members of the crews were drowned or machine-gunned. Large advertisements appeared in the Swedish press to-day calling on young Swedes to volunteer for service in Finland. AMERICAN CREDIT United Pres? Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 17, 6.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, January 16. President Roosevelt has sent a message to Congress proposing that the United States extend to Finland a credit for non-military purchases. The amount is not specified, but the President suggested that the loans be made through the Export and Import Bank and the Reconstruction Finance Corporation.