SOVIET DECLARES BLOCKADE OF FINLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 291, 9 December 1939, Page 7

SOVIET DECLARES BLOCKADE OF FINLAND

SEA APPROACHES MINED RUSSIA MUST WIN UNLESS FINNS RECEIVE MORE THAN SYMPATHY ’ VITAL CONFERENCES DECIDING FATE OF NORTHERN EUROPE [Dy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] Received De-. S. 10.20 p.m. NEW YORK, Dec. 7. Russia has declared a complete blockade of Finland, effective from noon on December 8, after which Finnish waters will be "dangerous to all shipping. Finland has issued several direct appeals f 0 the vorld for military aid. Popul; , . tions lot tlatid occurred in Scandinavia. Brussels. Budapest, and .Madrid, where the legations are crowded with volutiU' is. While Finland continues to resist the Russian steam-roller, the fate of the whole of Northern Europe rests in the hands of two conferences meeting simultam sly in Oslo (Norway) and Tallinn (Estonia . The Oslo t-on-er l ini- consists of th-' Danish, Swedish and Norwegian Foreign Ministers Despite Russian warnings, and Denmark's declaration orf strict neutrality, they are believed to he discussing the possibility of non-military assistance tor Finland, particularly through the League of Nations. A host of alarming rumours and unconfirmed reports provide an electric atmosphere. One report says that Germany is insisting that Sweden revise her foreign policy with a view to closer collaboration with the Reich Helsinki reports that King Gustav of Sweden sent a mosage to the Finnish President, M. Kyosti Kallio: “Sweden 1 warmest sympathy lor J-udand s sorely afflicted people. I eonfirm that Sweden's warm feelings tor a free J-inland hate been deepened year by year by a gro« ing intimate northern collaboration.“ Lithuania. Estonia, and Latvia are represented in lallinn. The Commander-in-t'l- t of the Estonian army, General Laidoner, was hurriedly summoned to Moscow because of Soviet nervousness about Estonian sympathy for Finland. The Copenhagen Berlingskc Tidende says that the Soviet is demanding the immediate demobilisation of the Estonian army to remove the possibility oi a rear attack on the Russian army. Finns Counter-attacking. To-night's communique states: “The enemy fried to cross the Taibela River, linking Lakes A uik and Ladoga. A\ e are counter-attacking with artillery. The Russians bombed three villages on the north shore of Lake Ladoga. There were no naval operations of importance. Helsinki was not bombed owing to thick mists. The Russians' Petsamo attack reveals wider strategy, including the Swedish iron ore fields and and the Norwegian ice-free port of Narvi. It seems impossible that these Scandinavian States can remain passive spectators to the Finnish drama." The Finnish Foreign Office spokesman declared: “Russia must win unless Finland receives more than sympathy. Arms and men must be given quickly. The defeat of Finland will mean far more to England and France than the defeat of Poland. Russia may (>'• Germany's ally, but what chance has Germany if she wins in he Vest. when Russia waits to devour the winner after helping to crush the loser?’’ The Finnish Minister at Alos- ov. and Lis staff left tor Riga by train after a farewell by diplomats of eight nations. It is officially stated that Russian artillery north from Lake Ladoga fired poison gas shells against the Finnish batteries, causing- several casualties. In Helsinki 230 Finnish-. Americans. some of whom have never seen Finland, have arrived to enlist. -A Finnish communique says that eight more Russiau tanks have been destroyed, making the total so. Finnish war planes, states a Copenhagen report, successfully bombed the Russian air base at Baltiski, the Estonian port taken over recently as a result of the Russian-Estonian pact. Several aeroplane hangars were stated to be on fire. Helsinki reports that Finnish airmen have also bombed Teri.joki i the s.-at of the puppet Finnish Government'. from which town the inhabitants have been evacuated. 1 he linns at''- also persistently bombing tin- Russian defence lines at several points. It is reported in Helsinki that there have been huge reinforcements of Russian troops. The Paris correspondent of the New York Times, Mr. G. 11. Archambault, says it is estimated that Russians engaged in Finland do not exceed L> divisions. A proportion of the armv is ill-trained and ill-equipped. Of those fit for action many- are troni East Siberia and the Rumanian border of Poland. It this estimate is correct, it explains the Russians' slow progr- .-. Moreover, the strategic competency of the politicdlv'lominati <i staffs is doubted. Berlin Radio Attacks Baltic States. The Berlin radio violently attacked the Baltic States and *'■ ' I: y had repeatedly flouted the Fuhrer’s approaches, thcretore they must not expect help now. J'" ■''b midinav iau foreign .Ministers issued a communique stating That they had agreed to do their utmost, through the League, to inaugurati Russian-Finnish peace negotiations. They had also dis.-ns., ■.] the effects of the Finnish war on the general .situation.