THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 12, 1940.
Soviet Time Limit To Expire To-Day
FINNISH SENTIMENT HARDENS: A MODERATE PEACE TALK PREMATURE WILL NOT GIVE UP INDEPENDENCE
(SPECIAL TO “CHINA' MAIL ")
London, To-day.
THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT is reported to have set a time limit, expiring to-day, on the peace nego- tiations, reports a correspondent in Stockholm. Marshal Voroshilov is taking an active part in the talks, it is learned.
The Stockholm Conservative paper "Aftonbladet" reports that the Finnish "peace delegation" left Moscow yesterday morning, taking with it de- finite Soviet peace terms. The paper under- stands that the Russians have given up
their claims to the important port of Hangoe and are now centering their attention on a small island off the Hangoe peninsula.
The "Aftonbladet” reports that the Foreign Affairs section of the Finnish Parliament is already aware of the content of the Soviet terms and are willing to accept them.
CRITICISM OF SWEDEN
Paris, To-day. The statement over the Swedish Radio evoked pointed comment in French diplomatic quarters where, it is stressed that Germany had made clear to the Scandinavian countries that it would be considered a breach of neu-
Finnish sentiment against the ac- ceptance of the Soviet peace pro- posals hardened yesterday, as Inform- ed quartera in Helsinki Intimated that Finland would continue to fight ra- ther than give up her Independence.
One quarter said that if Russia makes demands exceeding those of last autumn, there will be no peace.trality if aid to Finland from a Third "Finland cannot, and will not, give up her independence."
Power was allowed to pass through their territory.
It was when this German conception
GERMANY'S
PROUD RECORD
London, To-day.
The Hannover, 5,600 tons, which has scuttled herself (as report. ed yesterday) la the 34th German ship to meet this ignominious end, keeping Intact Germany's proud record of having sunk more Ger- man ships than anyone else.
She was built äbout a year ago. -Router.
ENOUGH OFFER!
NEW YORK, TO-DAY. COMMENTING ONCHITLER'S SPEECH, THE "NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS THAT IT THREW NO NEW LIGHT ON The situatioN,
Hitler, the paper continues, offered if necessary to give his life a German victory, which seems a moderate enough" offer when one considers the thousands of other German lives he has already sacrificed to that end.
Hitler, the paper concludes, was "talking" humbug" when he described the Allied aims as the destruction of Germany-Reuter.
NOT IMPERIALISTIC WAR
New Delhi, To-day. Sir Reginald Maxwell, Home Member of the Governor-General's Executive Council, speaking in the Central Assembly, strongly repu- diated the allegation in the resolution made at the Indian Congress Execu- tive Committee meeting at Patna on March 1: that Britain was carrying on Paris, To-day. the war for imperialist ends. The French War Council met yes-Sir Reginald declared the state- terday morning at the Elysee Palace.ments of British Ministers made clear President Lebrun was in the chair.-that there was no foundation for the Havas.
allegations. Reuter.....
WAR COUNCIL MEETS
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA, MAIL")
JAPANESE TO RETAIN GRIP ON YANGTSE
(SPECIAL TO
CHINA MAIL ")
Shanghai, To-day.
air was adopted by Sweden that she invit- THAT DESPITE THE re-opening of the Yangtse the
No less than 620 foreign 'planes are now flying in the Finnish force, this quarter pointed out, this proves that help for Finland be obtained.
anded Finland to abandon the struggle. can
Paris considers, even without recall- ing the provisions of the League LEBENSRAUM AGAIN
Covenant, it difficult to understand how The Finnish authorities are report- the principles of neutrality, as general- ed to be noting with interest an ar- ly understood, can be invoked to justi- ticle in a Scandinavian paper claim-fy Sweden's present attitude.-Reuter. ing that the most important angle of the Moscow-negotiations lies in an attempt to link Finland in a Russo- German lebensraum ("living space") drivel-Havas.
DIFFERENT TERM8?
Stockholm, To-day. Reports in diplomatic circles sug- gest that the terms of any settlement are likely to differ somewhat from those originally reported.
A very strict censorship is now be- ing imposed in Finland and no word of the rumoured peace conditions has been allowed to leak out.-Reuter.
IN U.S. EMBASSY (SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL"),.
London, To-day.
The Russo-Finnish talks are being held in the U. S. Embassy in Moscow, reports the Stockholm correspondent of the "Daily Mail,". Havas.
NEGOTIATIONS CONTÍNUE
Helsinki, To-day. Contradicting earlier rumours, M. Tanner, Finnish Foreign Minister, told Reuter's correspondent that the Fin- nish delegation is still in Moscow and that Finland has not accepted the So- viet terms.
The negotiations are still going on, he said.-Reuter.
SOVIET ABUSE
Moscow, To-day.
Even while the peace talks were
going on, the Soviet radio was filling
|
DELEGATION RETURNS
Rome, To-day. According to the Stockholm corres- pondent of the Stefani news agency the Finnish delegation has left Mos cow for Helsinki.
It is understood the Soviet made a final offer which must be accepted or rejected within a given time. Reuter.
DELICATE SUBJECTS
Helsinki, To-day. According to reports peralating in political circles here the most de licate subjects facing the negotiators | In Moscow are:-
Firstly, the railway north-east from "Viborg to the Soviet frontier;
Secondly, Finland's future political and military regime, and
It
whole business will remain in Japanese hands or under Japanese control, was pointed out in a private interview, with a prominent Japanese banker here yesterday.
was further emphasised that foreigners will re- main banned from the entire river shipping busi-
ness.
On the other hand, a British firm, China hostilities, a reliable source which sent an observer to various avers. places along the Yangtse, reported Secret Chinese exports are valued. that all precautions have been taken at. $600,000 for the first two months to ensure that Japanese firms have of this year. virtual trade monopoly.
German firms were informed that they would not enjoy Any better treatment than any other foreign
concern.
JAP. ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
Meanwhile despite certain -diver. gencles, regarding the export of Ja panese goods to China, new activity. can be noticed regarding the adver-. tleing of Japanese brands.
“YANGTRẺ TIMBER CÓ." A new Japanese-controlled concern, According to local Information the "Yangtse Timber Company" will Japanese authorities, as well as in- shortly be established in Shanghai dustrial circles, are highly interested Thirdly, the status of Hangoe. it is reliably reported. This firm will in the development of such propa- The newspaper. "Helaingan Sano aim at controlling the Shanghai ganda and negotiations mat," which generally expresses the timber trade.
are under way, between Japanese representa- views of Government olroles, says:
SECRET EXPORTS
tives and Shanghai publishers with "In the face of the Finnish-8ovlet Despite the Japanese control over a view to creating a new periodical conflict the Western. Powers must the majority of Chinese seaports in the English language intended for invisible exports from China are commercial matters only, and to be considered to have increased by 50 published as a neutral magazine.- per cent. since the outbreak of the Havas.
decide their attitude.
They must understand the neces- sity of making a decision in view of a possible new orientation of the thea- tre of war."-Reuter.
GOVT. TAKES OVER
WELLINGTON, TO-DAY.
the air with abuse against the Finns, THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERN- its bitterest attacks being against the|MENT HAS TAKEN OVER CONTROL Soviet's present guest, M. Ryti, lead- OF AUCKLAND HARBOUR AND er of the Finnish delegation,
AT THE SAME TIME TAKEN POW- ER TO ADOPT THE SAME COURSE ELSEWHERE IF NECESSARY.
dispute between the Harbour. Board and the Harbour workers over the new wages grant
The Moscow papers dive little men- tion to the talks and instead are All- ing their columns with the celebra- The, cause of this action was a trade tions of Soviet Foreign Commissar Molotov's 50th birthday-Reuter
BERLIN' CALL
"Berlin, To-day. M. Svinhufvud, Finn Ex-President, yesterday called on the Naxi: Under- Secretary of State at the Wilhelm-
strasse
the
The Government has asked men to work at the present rate, pend ing, the completion of a new ment and the development of a new.
rative nysten Reuter.
DRINK
EWO PILSNER