RUSSIAN CLAIMS

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

RUSSIAN CLAIMS

DENIAL BY FINNS LONDON, Dec. 7. The first comprehensive survey ol the Russian General Staff’s plans is given in a Leningrad communique, which claims considerable advances. "From the direction of Murmansk Red troops advanced 20 miles south of Petsamo. "In the Petrozavodsk and Prozosero (possibly near Karelia) zones Soviet troops advanced over the railway line between Nurmes and Oensuu, penetrating 40 miles. “At the eastern section of the Karelian Isthmus the Finns’ MaginotKirke Line along the Vuoski water system has been broken by artillery and troops are advancing northwards, "At the western section of the Karelian Isthmus Soviets occupied the town of Kiviniemi and are reported to be on the railway line leading tc Kexholm. also stations oa several railways leading to Wiipuri and villages on the coast and the Gulf of Finland.’ These claims mean that the main Finnish defences on the eastern sector of the Karelian isthmus are broken. Helsinki, however. categoricallj denies that Russian troops havt broken the Maginot-Kirke Line across the Karelian Isthmus. The Italian Press gave great prominence to the speech of the BntisL Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, ir which he emphasised the Nazis' responsibility for the invasion of Finland. Interest shown in the British Press in Finland’s access to war materials ir foreign countries has been heightened says a British Official Wireless mes sage, by well-authenticated information that as recently as 10 days age munitions were arriving in Finlanc from Germany. It is added that tin rifles supplied included some seized bj the Germans it Czechoslovakia anc that new rifles at a lower price have now been offered to Finland. Through Germany? In face of the fact that, as Lore Halifax stated in the House of Lords the Russian attack seems to be ; direct consequence of German policj and, in the opinion of close observers this aggression was made with Getman connivance in return for Russiar neutrality in other parts of Europi some uncertainty is expressed in tin newspapers as to how armaments fo. Finland would be permitted to pas, through Germany. It is stated that the Finnish Ai Force has recently been strengthens by the arrival of Italian bombers, sail to number 50. Meanwhile the newspapers an nounce that war material for Finlam is being obtained from British firms It is reported that this material in eluded 20 Britsh flghtei aeroplanes which are stated to be on their wa;