BLOCKADE OF MURMANSK ?

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21047, 26 February 1940, Page 6

BLOCKADE OF MURMANSK ?

The presence of British warships in Arctic waters north of Finland is explained by the beginning of a blockade against Murmansk, according to information from Copenhagen. Thus Britain may render very effective aid to the hard-pressed Finnish nation. Britain has long been ready and anxious to assist the Finns, but while Norway and Sweden hold that their neutrality prevents the despatch of assistance the problem has been how to reach Finland. Russia has been making extensive use of the far northern ports of Petsamo and Murmansk, and if communication with those ports is cut off the Russians will be placed at a serious disadvantage. The effectiveness of the move is indicated by the disturbance created in Russia and Germany, which are threatening dire retaliation. They desired that tiny Finland should be left to be ravaged and dismembered at their own sweet will, and they probably did not count upon the intervention of the British Navy in those far northern waters. The Vice-Commissar of the Russian Navy, in an article in the official newspaper Pravda, says “the northern waters are as unapproachable as the Black Sea and the Gulf of Finland.” And yet apparently a British fleet is off Murmansk and ready and able to enforce a blockade. Russia w’ill perhaps be given the opportunity to prove the vaunted strength of the Red Navy. The appeal of the Finnish Minister in London for assistance will strike a responsive chord in every British heart. He declares that Finland is under no delusion that she can hold out for ever against the superior numbers of Russia. Yet he avers, and the world agrees with him. that Finland is fighting the battle of civilisation against the sinister forces of aggression. Mr Hore-Belisha, former British Minister of War, is strenuously advocating intervention on behalf of Finland. “The risk of helping Finland,” he says, “may be great, but the risk of not helping her may be greater. She is not fighting for herself alone; she holds the pass of civilisation. Well-planned, adequate and decisive action now could curtail the war.”