SOVIET TO BE ABSENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 288, 6 December 1939, Page 7

SOVIET TO BE ABSENT

MEETING OF LEAGUE COUNCIL Discussion Of Finnish Appeal RUSSIA DENIES STATE OF WAR (By Telegraph - Press Association—Copyright; Received Dec. 5, 9.5 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 5. It is learned at Geneva that Russia will leave the League, The Soviet Prime Minister, M. Molotov, has informed the Secre-tary-General, M. Avcnol, that the So. 1 will not be participating in the .e Council meeting. M. Molotov’s reply to the League states that the Soviet Union considers the convocation of the Council on Dr. Holsti’s appeal unwarranted, and adds that the Soviet is not in a state of war with Finland and does not threaten the Finnish people with war, consequently the invocation of Article 11 is not justified. The Soviet has a pact with the People’s Democratic Government of Finland which regulates all questions on which it was impossible to negotiate with the former Finnish Government. The People’s Democratic Government appealed to the Soviet on December 1 for military aid in order to liquidate the war danger created by the former Finnish Government. Dr. Holsti’s appeal,

therefore, is illegal, since the persons for whom he speaks are not the true representatives of the Finnish people. The Soviet, therefore, cannot participate in the Council or Assembly, the convocation of which is irreconcilable with respect for the Soviet Union. The representative of Finland at the meeting of the League Council will be Dr. Rudolf Holsti, Minister at Berne, who will be at the head of a strong delegation. Mr. de Valera, who will probably be elected chairman, has convoked the Assembly ror December 11. The Geneva correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Co. says that the Belgian representative, Mr. de Wiart, will preside at the meeting of the League Council on December 9. The Council will adjourn after a short meeting owing to the call of the Assembly. The Press Association understands that M. Maisky, the President of the League Council, whose term of office expires automatically when the Council meets, is not going to the League meeting on December 9. A message from Paris says that Finland’s appeal to the League recalls that Finland, alone among the Scandinavian Powers, has always remained faithful to the principle of collective security. It is reported from Buenos Aires that all the South American League members are sending a message to the Le i.ue similarly to that of the Argentine, and non-members are expected to join in the condemnation.