SWEDISH HELP FOR FINLAND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21556, 19 January 1940, Page 7

SWEDISH HELP FOR FINLAND

Prime Minister Urges Caution United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright STOCKHOLM, January 17. The Prime Minister of Sweden 'Mr P. A. Hanson) declared: “We need no orders from abroad concerning our relations with Finland, but we will judge for ourselves how we can give the best service to Finland's and the northern countries' case. Our foreign policy is unchanged. We shall defend our Independence and neutrality. The Western Powers have not applied pressure on us. Germany has not threatened us. We will meet any attempt to violate our neutrality with all the powers at our disposal. “There is no question of breaches of neutrality such as permission for belligerent troops to traverse Sweden or use bases there. Sweden continues to collaborate with the small free States in order to ensure neutrality and independence. There is no question of a military coalition nor an obligation on Sweden. Help for Finland has our sympathy, but caution must be exercised if we are to avoid becoming a party to the conflict.” Neutrality Policy Denounced The House applauded the Foreign Minister 'Mr R. J. Sandler) when he vehemently denounced the neutrality policy. He added that Sweden should safeguard the neutrality of the Aalands with armed force. He deplored the lack of Scandinavian co-operation, adding that the recent meeting of the States was a beautiful event, but collaboration was torpedoed behind the scenes from the start. Sweden was not ready to take the necessary steps when the time came, but it was not too late yet.