PEACE TERMS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22831, 2 March 1944, Page 5

PEACE TERMS

RUSSO-FINNISH WAR

Break With Germany Stipulated

By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 29. The Russian terms of peace for Finland, which Madame Kollontay (Soviet Ambassador to Sweden) presented to M. Paasikivi on February 15, were announced to-night. They are:— (1) A break with Germany; also internment of German troops, and warships, the Soviet stating its willingness to assist in this task. (2) Re-establishment of the SovietFinnish Treaty of 1940 and the withdrawal of Finnish troops to the 1940 frontier. (3) Immediate return to the Soviet of Allied prisoners of war, also interned civilians. (4) The question of demobilisation to be left pending negotiations in Moscow. (5) The question of reparations to be left for negotiation at Moscow. (6) The question concerning the Petsamo area to be left pending negotiations in Moscow.

M. Paasikivi was told that if the Finnish Government was ready to accept the terms the Soviet Government was ready to receive a Finnish radio denied reports, published abroad, of Soviet demands of unconditional surrender; also the occupation of Finland. According to Stockholm messages the Finnish Parliament is expected to meet in secret session to-day to hear a Government statement on the question of peace with the Soviet Union. As far as is known M. Paasikivi is still in Helsinki.

Lively Debates The Berlin radio to-night gave the only official news of events in Helsinki when it quoted the text of a brief communique issued after the meeting of the Finnish Parliament, stating that Parliament had approved of a report by the Prime Minister, M. Limkomies, on the political situation. The Stockholm correspondent of the Associated Press of America states that the Finnish Parliament held two secret sessions during the day. Lively Party debates are taking place on the peace issues. The correspondent adds that any official statement in the near future is likely to be inconclusive, and will leave the armistice question open for further negotiation. The Stockholm correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” quotes an influential Helsinki source as saying that many Finns hope that the Russians in a few weeks’ time will have penetrated deeper into the Baltic, thus putting in peril or even cutting Germany’s communications with Finland. General Dietl’s troops would then probably be withdrawn, and the Finns would not be compelled to intervent against their former Allies. _ „ The London correspondent of the New York journal “P.M.” says the Germans are reported to be already withdrawing some troops from Northern Finland by sea. Soviet Statement

A Moscow radio statement, which was issued by the Soviet Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, began by declaring that negotiations between Finland and Russia had not yet started. “A Swedish industrialist in the middle of February Informed Madame Kollontay of M. Paaslklvl’s arrival in Stockholm with authority to discover peace conditions,” continued the statement. “Madame Kollontay stated that the Soviet Government had no reason to trust the present Finnish Government, but failing other means, was ready to conduct negotiations. An unofficial meeting was held on February 16 between M. Paasikivi and Madame Kollontay, at which M. Paasikivi asked for conditions. At the next meeting Madame Kollontay stated the terms.” Unconfirmed private reports from Helsinki say the Finnish Parliament, after passing a vote of confidence In the Government, entrusted it with further investigation of the Russian terms and the possibility of obtaining British and American guarantees. Matter of Days Observers in Moscow believe that Finland will be out of the war in a matter of days, says Reuter’s correspondent In the Soviet capital. The announcement of Finland's peace move and the Soviet terms for an armistice created Intense excitement and Interest in Moscow. Allied circles regard the Soviet terms as extremely generous, embodying a constructive and statesmanlike approach to post-war issues in addition to immediate problems. The Helsinki radio quotes a broadcast by M. Tanner in which he said: “Finland has never gone through such an ordeal as this war. It is a fight for death, not a fight for life. People who have gone through such a trial have a right to expect that their sufferings will be taken into account.” (