SOVIET DEMANDS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20951, 2 November 1939, Page 8

SOVIET DEMANDS

REQUESTS TO FINLAND READJUSTING BORDERS NON=AGGRESSION PACT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 1 Details of the Russian demands upon Finland were given by the Premier and Foreign Minister, M. Molotoff, in the course of his speech to the Soviet Supreme Council. They are as follows:—-

(1) Readjustments of the border northward of Leningrad.

(2) Use of the area near the entrance to the Gulf of Finland as a Soviet naval base.

(3) The exchange of certain islands in the Gulf of Finland for territory in the Soviet province of Karelia.

(4) The disarming of certain fortified zones along the Soviet-Finnish frontier.

(5) A Soviet-Finnish non-aggression pact.

(6) The development of economic relations between the Soviet and Finland.

M. Molotoff declared that as Finland would only concede part of what Russia had demanded, the Soviet had subsequently modified its proposals; but he added that if the Finns continued in their failure to meet the Soviet’s requirements, it would be harmful both to the cause of peace and to the Finns themselves. Difficult Situation A Finnish Government communique says: “By publicising the Soviet demands at the moment when the Finnish delegation had just left for Moscow to deliver their Government’s reply, M. Molotoff has created a new and most difficult situation. “Hitherto, the negotiations had been confidential, and Finland, independently and without outside pressure, tried to find a solution of the questions presented to her, in spite of difficulty due to the policy of neutrality she has adopted. In so doing, Finland desired to meet Russia’s endeavours to secure their own security without, however, risking Finland’s own security.

“It is too early to say whether M. Molotoff’s statement will in any wise affect the Finnish Government’s viewpoint, but in any case it must naturally delay the continuation ol the negotiations.” The communique adds that the Soviet Union, in the non-aggression treaty concluded with Finland in 1932, undertook to respect the frontiers fixed by the Peace Treaty of Dorpat between Finland and Russia, and to settle all differences peacefully. Finland relies upon the Soviet Union to respect this agreement, the validity of which was extended until 1945 by agreement between the two countries in 1934.

FINLAND’S STAND

SOVIET’S DEMANDS REJECTION PROBABLE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 2, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 1 The British United Press Helsinki correspondent states that while it is understoon the delegation will refuse the Soviet demands, the Goverment has issued a statement that Finland never will allow a third Power to use her territory inimical to Russia. The Moscow demand for a naval base on the Finnish mainland, presumably Hanko, is expected to be a very thorny problem, because it would permit the severance of Finland’s trade arteries at will. The compensation of Karelia would merely make the defence position worse by extending the frontier to include a population alien in race and religion. RUSSIA AND LATVIA HARBOUR OCCUPIED (United Press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 2, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 1 The Liepaja correspondent of the American Press states that four trainloads of Russian troops, munitions, artillery and lorries arrived at a military harbour, from which the Latvian garrison evacuated beforehand.

CONSUMPTION OF COAL

For domestic purposes EFFECT OF RATIONING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 31 The Secretary of Mines stated in the House of Commons that the annual consumption of coal for domestic purposes was 36,000,000 tons. It was expected that rationing would result in the saving of 7,000,000 tons annually.