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THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 5, 1940
STREET FIGHTING IN
SUBURBS
OF VIBORG
Finnish Main Force Retiring In Good Order
NEW DEFENCES CONSTRUCTED BEHIND THE CITY
Helsinki, To-day.
THE MAIN PÄRT OF VIBORG is still in Finnish hands, although the Soviets are said to be grad- ually encircling the city. The Finns are mak- ing them fight every inch of the way and the Russians are having to die heavily for what is now a completely ruined city.
There is heavy fighting in the southern suburbs, while the main body of the Finnish troops is re- treating in good order and according to plan to new defences to the north-west of the city. These defences at their deepest point are three miles from Viborg and are the same length as the original Mannerheim Line.
The Russians are also reported to the fate of the war, it is said; its be applying heavy pressure at the importance ended with its centre of the Mannerheim Line.
In the east, at Taipali, the Finns have dispersed Soviet forces attempt- ing to concentrate for an attack and in this area the Russians have not gained an inch for a week. Reu- ter.
Position Not Clear (SPECIAL TO "CHINA" MAIL")
Helsinki, To-day. There has been so, much movement on the Karelian Isthmus during the past few days that it is difficult establish the exact positions of two armies.
to the
The Finns made the Soviets pay dearly for their advance and they are now holding the llnes around Viborg waiting for the day when it will be impossible for the enemy to send in a fresh army every morning to give battle.
On Sunday, the Russians tried to drop parachute-troops behind Viborg, but were as unsuccessful here as they have been in the past; the men were all shot captured,
or
tion-Havas.
destruc-
Heavy Finn Losses
Stockholm, To-day. Reports reaching here indicate that the Finns lost heavily in the battle for Viborg, one estimate putting the loss at 17,000 lives.
if
These losses were unavoidable the position was to be held while new defences were completed.-Reuter.
Fresh Hope
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
Helsinki, To-day.
34th Soviet The crushing of the Tank Brigade, following on the heels of the mopping up of the 18th Dlvi- sion, has given the Finns fresh hope. The battle is cited as a characteris- tic of the Finnish method of warfare, in which a comparatively small force, could armed with inferior material, defeat a big enemy by virtue of its and able knowledge of the terrain leadership.
Although the end of the action has pushed the Russians back to where NEW DEFENCE POSITIONS they were at the beginning of the The new defence positions north- war, the Soviets are again attack- east of Viborg are said to form parting.Havas.
of the Mannerheim Line and to pro- tect the railway which crosses Fin land from West to East, originally having to pass through Viborg.
Official Communique
"NEW BORDER" DEMARCATED
Moscow, To-day. The Mixed Soviet-German Border Mission not up on Octo», - bor 5 last year to demarcate the "new Soviet-German frontior,' has now finished Its survey.
Nearly 3,000 border posts have been driven in.
The now frontier now has to be ratified by both Governments.
-Reuter.
retreat
round Ayrapaa, but had to with heavy losses.
"Artillery on both sides was lively in the east of the Karelian Isthmus, especially round Taipale.
"Enemy attacks towards Pitkaranta, north-east of Lake Ladoga, were beat back. Fighting continued all day at Kollanjoki, the enemy losing supporting post in the Kuhmo region.
1200'
men. The Finns captured an enemy
"At Petsamo, the enemy retreated northwards from Nautsi about a mile and a half.
"The air force bombed a concentra- tion of enemy troops and Soviet
columns.
"Soviet planes bombed a number of
PLIGHT OF FINNISH CHILDREN
Helsinki, To-day.
The terrible conditions among Finnish children from the extreme eastern front are revealed in a report by a doctor and by. Mrs. Leppo, who have been inves- tigating in Oulu Province.
The report states that the children were forced to travel by sleigh and under other exposed conditions, hat- less and stockingless.
Forty-six per cent. of them are ill with measles, bronchitis or pneumonia, while 755, representing 11 per cent.
have denied.
The Hoover Committee has now
and initiated a plan for the immediate des-
six ambulance units patch of medical supplies for the children. The Committee state that they ur-
Reuter.. gently need funds.
places including Wilmnstrano, where SOVIET
serious damage was done. No casual- ties are reported hitherto.
"Four Soviet planes were brought ANNOYED
down and two others are believed to
have been brought down."--Reuter. BY CHARGES
Entrenched In New Defence Positions
Helsinki, To-day.
The Finns last night were still hold-
Moscow, To-day.
.
A Soviet statement has ing at any rate a part of the city of been issued "refuting" the Viborg. The Finnish troops are now Finnish note to the League new defensive line of Nations condemning Rus- entrenched in a behind the town.
Anxiety in Helsinki about the posi-sian methods of warfare.
Charges that the Russians had tion at Viborg and the situation gen-
somewhat relieved bombed and machine-gunned civilians erally has been
"transparently false" , and by news of the Russian retreat from were Nautsi in the Petsamo region and "Fantastic allegations," says the So-
Kallonjoki viet official statement. the Finnish successes at
statement, In any case, says the and north of Lake Ladoga, mentioned in the official communique.
they cannot postpone the approaching "the end of what it brightly calls
of the Finnish rulers adventure against the Soviet Union.”—Reuter.
LEAGUE MISSION TO STUDY
A further encouraging factor is to be found in the signs that the March snowfall is beginning.
last The temperature at Helsinki night was only slightly below zero.- Reuter.
Helsinki, To-day. MORE TALK
OF PEACE PROPOSALS
A junction has now been built at An official communique states: An Simola, six or seven miles south of enemy attempt to advance across the Lake Salma and 25 miles north-west | ice of the Bay of Viborg was repulsed. of Viborg, eliminating the former im- rortance of the latter city. The fall of Viborg will now not serious alter
"Soviet attacks between Viborg and Vuoksen were broken.
"The enemy made several attacks
COMING KING'S
TO THE
A PICTURE DEDICATED TO THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
The Lion Wings
STOCKHOLM, TO-DAY. THE POSSIBILITY OF PEACE ADVANCED PROPOSALS BEING
Stockholm, To-day.;.
The newspaper "Allehanda" states that the League of Nations Mission arrived in Helsinki to make a study of the Russian methods of warfare... Reuter,
SANDLER
URGES MORE
SWEDISH AID
FOR THE FINNISH WAR AS SOON AS THE RUSSIANS HAVE COM- PLETED THE CAPTURE.'! OF VIBORG, AND SPECULATION ABOUT THE POLITICAL SITUA- TION IN FINLAND; ARE OCCUPY. (SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") ING THE CLOBE ATTENTION · · OF
OSLO, TO-DAY FOREIGN' DIPLOMATIC" CIRCLES SPEAKING BEFORE THE UNI- HERE..
\VERSITY OF OSLO, THE "SWEDISH The internal political situation in EX-FOREIGN MINISTER, M. SAND- Finland is now considered to be at LER, INSISTED ON THE NEED FOR least as important as the military GIVING GREATER MILITARY AID situation.
TO FINLAND,
The position appears to be that not only German but many Scandinavian circles would like to see peace made In Finland, but it is believed that **Marshal Mannerheim and the leaders would resolutely oppose sal to make peace on terms
regarded as unsatisfac
The whole of the Swedish nation Is united in thinking that help must be increased and to do that would be the best. manner to act out of the dilemma in which Sweden finds her- self at present.
Finland's” néed, is for material landa
men, he said.
Havas.