LAND’S PROBLEM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1944, Page 4

LAND’S PROBLEM

STRUGGLE BEHIND SCENES between cabinet members REPORTED RUSSIAN PEACE TERMS (Rv Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.)' LONDON, February 8. The Finnish Government has ordered the immediate evacuation of all important towns in Southern Finland. This action follows the heavy Russian raids on Sunday night on Helsinki. The Leningrad radio today said that Russian bombers heavily raided Riga and seriously damaged the airfield, and also again raided Tallinn. Swedish commentators say the raids on Helsinki were made for political rather than military reasons. The “Aftonbladet” says that behind the scenes a struggle is going on between the anti-Russian Acting Prime Minister, M. Tanner, and other members of the Cabinet. Diplomatic circles believe that if Finland adopted an antiFascist regime, Rusisa would be ready to grant a separate peace to Finland, adds the paper. Meanwhile she is believed to have prepared plans for a separate peace with Finland. An observer in touch with the Russian Legation in Stockholm says the peace conditions would include the surrender of the Finnish Army and the handing over of all war material to Russia, an occupation by the Russians of all strategically important points in Finland, including Helsinki, which, however, would be administered by Finnish authorities. The Finns would be expected to do everything in their power to prevent the seven German divisions in Finland leaving the country.