THE CHINA MAIL, OCTOBER 10, 1939.-
FINLAND STANDS
OFFICIAL ATHENIA DEATHROLL
London, To-day. Ninety-three passen- gers of the Athenia are officially reported miss- ing, according to a list issued last night which comprises: 50 British, 30 Americans, seven Poles, four Germans and two stateless.
ཟླ་་
Previously 19 of the crew were reported miss- ing making the total casualties 112.-Reuter.
MOSCOW SURVEY OF SITUATION
FIRM
SOVIET BROWBEATING ATTEMPT WILL AROUSE THE WHOLE OF SCANDINAVIA
Helsinki, To-day.
SOVIET'S
THE FINNISH Foreign Minister, in a statement
yesterday on the Russian demand for "negotia: PLANS FOR tions," declared: "I know nothing of any terri- LITHUANIA
torial demands.
Russia has not raised specified questions, but it is
Kaunas, To-day.
The Lithuanian delegates have re-
President on the progress talks.
quite normal for one country to make such a returned from Moscow to report to the quest of another.
"We stand by our Northern neu- trality, and we will not adhere to any great Power or group of Powers."
The statement is regarded as a reply to Stalla's reported demand fer four Finnish islands.
A Norwegian newspaper yesterday stated that any effort to extract con- cessions from Finland by force would be regarded with the deepest indigna- tion all over Scandinavia. Reuter.
I
NOT SO TRACTABLE
Stockholm, To-day. An implication that M. Paasikivi,.
Moscow, To-day. the Finnish representative now on a Negotiations due to open visit to Moscow, Baltic States re-
to-morrow between the So- tractable as recent
has not proved so
presentatives have been
to
A
FINNISH STEAMER SUNK
London, To-day. message from Amsterdam
says that a 2,020-ton Finnish tim- her vessel was sunk by a mine off Terschelling yesterday.
It is believed the crew saved.-Router.
were
help their
Reuter.
PACT RATIFIED.
willingly joins them to called viet and Finland are expect-Moscow, is contained in despatches by glorious country, ed to round off the expan- the Finnish correspondents of the sion of Soviet interests in re-newspapers. "Helsinki Correspondent" lation to her Baltic neigh- bours.
By pacts with Esthonia, Latvia and forthcoming agreements with Lithua- nia and Finland, the great Soviet aim of freeing Leningrad as a naval and air base from the bottle-neck of the Gulf of Finland which gave any enemy a easy means of preventing the exit of the Baltic fleet will have been achieved.
the of
To complete the programme, Russians may seek neutralisation any threat from the southern coast of Finland confronting the Gulf.
AALAND ISLANDS
It is logical to believe that Moscow would also like the
the control of Aaland Islands as a base from which ultimately to control Swedish exports to Germany.
and "Svenska Bladet."
that The
declare despatches Finland cannot agree
with any proposal conflicting with her par- ticipation In the northern neu- tality bloc.
the
Dr. Erkko, In an interview, Finnish Foreign Minister, is reported to gave declared: "M. Paasikivi only goes to take note of Russia's desires and whatever these may be, our posi- tion is clear..
"We stand by northern neutrality; we threaten none; seek no advantage and will adhere to any great power or group.--Reuter.
WILL NOT SUBMIT
London, To-day.
of
the'
After receiving fresh instructions. they were expected to return to Mos- cow Immediately, possibly yesterday..
on
It is reported that the Soviet proposals include the establish- ment of heavy fortifications the Lithuanian-German frontier which has been prolonged through the partition of Poland.
Other proposals include the
status:
of the Vilna district and the transit of goods through Lithuania to Libau. The question of the repatriation of for centuries 30,000 Germans who have been resident in Lithuania, may arise this week.
Loyal German leaders have informed of the Reich's wishes this connection.
been.
in
portion It is believed that only a willingly agree to the repatriation plan-Reuter..
CABINET MEETING
Kaunas, Today.
The Lithuanian delegation which the
The Havas agency reports that Rus-as been in Moscow to discuss sia is demanding the right to quarter Russian demands, flew back to Kau--
nas yesterday. four divisions, or about 40,000, men, in Esthonia, and twice as many in Latvia.-Reuter.
KING'S VISIT TO FLEET
the
London, To-day. During his two-day visit to North, the King, during an inspection of a shore base, went on board mine- sweepers, patrol vessels, drifters and tugs.
Shortly after their return to Kaunas: a Council of Ministers was called.
It is reported that Russia is to. obtain the right to construct alr bases in Lithuania, who will ob- tain in return territory in former Poland.
Areas in the Vilna district inhabited by Lithuanians are mentioned.-Reu- ter.
LOL) SPEAKERS ON WESTERN FRONT
Paris, To-day.
When he visited a neighbouring For the first time, the Germans town, His Majesty was given a rous- have installed powerful loud-speak-. ing reception by large crowds, who ers on the western front. had been informed of the visit just Broadcasts have been delivered previously by the Town Crier-Reu-French and German of selected pas-
sages from Hitler's speech-Reuter.
Stockholm, To-day. A Swedish newspaper stated yes Observers are wondering if the So- vlet-Lithuanian Pact will conform to terday that Finland will not submitter. the Esthonian and Latvian pacts which to Russian dictation and cannot sur- mentioned the name of the land fron-render a foot of Finnish soll-Reuter. tlers whence the attacks might come.
SOVIET PROBLEM
In the case of Lithuania, it would be the necessary to explicitly mention name of the
of German territory Memel and East Prussia.
The crucial point of this pact is whether Moscow is prepared to offend Berlin by insisting on the fortification of the Lithuanian-German frontier.- ly, Reuter.
RUSSIA'S DEMANDS
London, To-day.
The Polish Embassy in Paris has sent a letter to the new President of Poland expressing the hope that he could co-operate closely not only now, in the hour of struggle, but continual-
The President has replied that he
FINLAND MOBILISING
Helsinki, To-day.
While the Finnish delegate M. Paasakivi is en route to Moscow, Finland continues to call her reservists to the colours.
Many schools in the Viborg area, which is nearest the Soviet frontier, have been taken over by troops.
It is emphasised in political circles that this is pure- ly a precautionary measure as it is hoped that the Moscow talks will result in a friendly agreement.- Rauter.
Mas West and W. C. Floids, two of the most colourful personalities of the entertainment world, will be co-starred by. Universal Studios in a motion picture spectacle of frontie· days. Above, Fields and Miks' West : are shown after they had signed their contracte to appear in the now production which will be one of the most costly In the history of Uni-
vorial,
in