1940-02-16 — Page 12

THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 16, 1940

Finns Withdraw From First Line Positions At Summa Give Way In Face Of Terrific Russian Attacks

ENORMOUS RED ARMY CASUALTY TOLL IN BATTLE

HELSINKI, TO-DAY. IT WAS OFFICIALLY STATED IN HELSINKI LAST NIGHT THAT IN FACE OF THE TERRIFIC RUS- SIAN ATTACKS IN THE KARELIAN ISTHMUS THE FINNISH TROOPS HAD WITHDRAWN FROM FIRST-LINE POSITIONS AT A NUMBER OF POINTS IN THE SUMMA SECTOR.

A communique issued earlier in the day stated that Fin- nish troops in the Summa sector on Thursday success- fully defended all enemy attacks.

helplessly.

floundered

North-east of Lake Ladoga the|with a layer of three to four feet of

on several occasions snow in which the men enemy attacked but all attacks were driven back. The Finnish troops destroyed seized about 100 convoy units, prin- cipally comprising provisions.

Finnish coastal batteries on the Karelian lathmus successfully re- pulsed all attempts by the enemy to cross the ice and destroyed a number of detachments.

OF

The Finnish air force successfully attacked enemy troop concentrations and provision depots.

According to confirmed reports 16 enemy planes were shot down and one bomber was forced down on Finnish territory. Reuter.

of

Another Ten Miles

Helsinki, To-day. It is pointed out here that although al- the Russians, as the result most two week's pounding away with heavy loss of life and men, have cap- lured a few outposts of the Manner- another 10 heim Line, they

machine-gun miles of

go before

have

traps, tank posts, barricades, etc. to they can hope to penetrate the Line itself.

In an interview with the Press, the another President of Finland made

appeal for foreign help. He hoped that Finland's cause might stimulate countries abroad to help her. Never- theless, Finland would fight, help or no help.

continue

to

"We are faced with the extinction of our nation and we must fight to the last," he said.

sure on the men at the Front,

the

SHOT FROM BEHIND Many eye-witnesses

report that Russian soldiers who refused to ad- death vance in the face of certain

political were shot from behind by agents.

North of Lake Ladoga the Finns thwarted an attempt to take pro- visions to a marooned battalion. Three Russian divisions are ported to be in difficulties in this region.

re-

The Russians twice tried to rescue Army the commander of the 13th Corps. A plane sent for this purpose small crashed through the ice of a

second lake and disappeared, and a

the plane landed by mistake behind Finnish lines and both aircraft and crew were captured.-Reuter.

LABOUR GROUP ON VISIT TO

FINLAND

London, To-day.

When the British Labour delegation which has been In order to help relieve the pres- visiting Finland described its Finnish Government yesterday issued impressions before a meeting 43 of the National Council of La- and 44 years of age to the Colours.bour in London on Wednes- Thịt must report for service by Feb-

day, it was decided to launch! runy 20-Reuter.

an appeal for funds for Fin- land.

posters calling men of

between

Astonishingly Heavy Red Losses

Stockholm, To-day.

the Russian of The Intensity

the Mannerheim onslaught against Line Increased further yesterday when thrusts along new lines were made, but the Finns appear to have stood firm everywhere and to have-Infilot-

The delegation paid warm tributes to the courage, energy and high spirits of the Fire and said that they were impressed the military and politi- cal level attained and by the people's attachment to the principles of De-

mocracy.

The delegation stressed the Finns'

His Excellency the U.8. Ambassador, Mr. Nelson T. Johnson addressing the Bino-American Cultural Institute on Wednesday. Others in the plc. ture are: from left to right: Mr. A. r. Southard, Dr. C. T. Wang, form- er Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Nelson T. Johnson, Bir Shouson Chow and Judge Helmick. (8taff. Photographor).

DON'T NEED AID TO DEFEAT THE ALLIES!

Stockholm, To-day.

REPORTS PUBLISHED ABROAD that Russia and Germany have signed a military alliance are cate- gorically denied by official circles in Germany, says the Berlin correspondent of the “Nyheter.' The correspondent adds that Wilhelmstrasse officials be- live the news originated from the satisfactory conclu- sion of a trade agreement with Russia, and declare that Germany is quite capable of defeating Britain and France alone without Russia.

not want military Germany does help, these officials declare, but de- sires neutral neighbours to supply her with raw materials to enable her to break the blockade.

While they are naturally closely watching the outcome of the Anglo- French appeals to neutral countries to enter the war, Berlin officials, accord- correspondent, state they ing to the do not want to see Italy and Russia involved against Britain and France.

-

Reuter.

NEW CONGRESS PRESIDENT

Bombay, To-day. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the eminent Muslim, was

ALLIED

CUTS IN U.S. PURCHASES

го-

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

Washington, To-day. Both Britain and France cantly stopped the purchase of certain American agricultural products, Becretary of State Cor. dell Hull told the press yester- day.

He added he had already made London and representations in Parls on the subject-Havas.

LONDON STOCK

MARKET

LONDON, TO-DAY. OILS. AND KAFFIRS CLOSED

od astonishingly heavy losses on the urgent needs for armaments, especial- yesterday elected President | FIRMER ON THE LONDON STOCK

ly heavy guns and aeroplanes.

The information and impressions Invaders,

Fresh waves of Soviet troops were thrown against the Finns north of they obtained will be placed before Summa over the ice of Lake Muola- the British. Government.-Reuter.

ajaervi, and at Taipale. -

The attack over the lake might

Chave been serious if it had suc»

of the forthcoming Indian National Congress, to be held next at Ramgard Bihar month.

ceeded, for it would have brought THE DATE IT CHANGETH M. N Ros, the

the Rumlane to one of the "main roads leading to Viborg.

EVERY DAY

The date

Shanghai, To-da The Russians had to advance over

the inauguration of

Kuomin the ice on the lake which is 10 miles

now axed wide without any cover against ma Wang Ching-wei's "Cent

Correspon chine-gunners well hidden in the tang Government" has be

for March 1 surrounding woods.

covered dent.

Moreover the ice is now

Own

recely

Mr. Azad has already received over 1,000 votes while his opponent, Mr. Communist leader, over-100.

Azad. Mr. Gandhi, Mr. opposes Nazilam and could sup- In the ort India's participation

ettlement ... is reinohad British Governme

bet

and

EXCHANGE YESTERDAY ON BET- THE TONE WAS IRREGULAR. TER SUPPORT BUT ELSEWHERE

Textiles were well bought on reported shortage of stock..

the

trade

Rubber was firm on better demand and larger United States January consumption. ---

Tin cased owing to speculative pro- it-taking.

Wall Street

Irregular.---Reuter.

event.

The verd whelminit

Mr. Gandhi. ----

soses the. 'war in any Reuter.

faken as over-