1940-02-19 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 19, 1940 ·

Why Sweden Turned Down Finnish Appeal

GERMANY MAKES

THREATS

TO

SCANDINAVIANS

PARIS, TO-DAY.

ACCORDING TO AUTHORITATIVE INFORMATION FINNS

RECEIVED IN PARIS LAST NIGHT, GERMANY HAS OFFICIALLY INFORMED NORWAY AND SWEDEN THAT SHE WOULD REGARD ANY

GIVEN

DIRECT AID GIVEN TO FINLAND AS A BREACH RESPITE

OF NEUTRALITY.

This is considered to be the reason why Sweden rejected the Finnish appeal for military assistance against the Soviet.

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

Helsinki, To-day. The Mannerheim Line yes- terday was comparatively in- The German attitude is held to the Swedish refusal to give direct help active confirming the belief prove that any country alding a neigh-to Finland was a direct consequence that the Soviet forces will re- bour attacked by Russia must reckon of strong pressure from Berlin, which on having to deal with Germany as informed Stockholm it would consider quire considerable reorgan- direct assistance to Finland as a isation before they can suc- breach of neutrality to Germany.

This attitude clearly demonstrates cesfully exploit the progress the constantly tightening German-made in their 17-day offen- Russian co-operation, although the

sive. German attitude to Finland herself is not yet absolutely fixed.

There are that,

well as the Soviet.

The Parla press, however, is of opinion that Germany hardly dare implement her threat as it is against

her Interest to create another war front.

The newspaper generally stress the view that the solution of the problem of saving Finland lies with the Scan-

Reuter. dinavian States.

ALLIED AID TO FINLAND

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

London, To-day.

•

grounds for believing least, a faction In the Wilhelmstrasse

German proposes mediation at an opportune moment, but the possibilities of success are extremely faint.

Finland will not accept a solution impairing her political status, while Russia will bring to the fore the fact that Kusinen's puppet government is

of Terijoki. Havas.

OPENING ALL FRENCH ARSENALS TO FINLAND

1

It is reliably reported that "still functioning" in the border-town ever increasing quantities of Allied war materials have been flowing into Finland since January and have reached imposing figures re- cently.

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

Paris, To-day. French army headquarters have ap- proved a plan of the French Govern- Hence it is anticipated that Finnishment calling for the opening of all resistance will be stiffening shortly. French arsenals to Finland, together Nevertheless, the cautious attitude of with the extension of unlimited cre- the Scandinavian nations towards the dits, it is reported. Finnish Affair, as expressed by the Swedish Premier, Mr. Albin Hansson, is not permitting Britain and France to extend Finland other aid besides war material and volunteers.

Some quarters suggest the landing of Allied troops at Petsamo, under the mouths of Soviet guns, but it is understood that such an idea was dis- carded. by both Britain and France as it was considered too risky and as constituting open warlike action against the Soviet. Havas.

FRENCH SUPPLIES

Paris, Yesterday. A high French officiul stated to-day that much French war stocks, old and new, had been sent to Finland.

Planes, automatic weapons and heavy, artillery were already in that country. French arms were first used by the Finns in the middle of Jan- uary.--Reuter.

According to these same reports, there is only one reservation that shipments to Finland do not include the latest models of various French arms. --Havas.

PRESSURE IN KARELIA WEAKENS

Helsinki, To-day.

A communique announces that Rus- sian pressure on the Karelian Isthmus has weakened between the Gulf of Finland and Vuoksen.

and local skirmishes Except for vigorous air activity the day passed calmly and many tanks were destroy- ed.

Their losses in the last three days have exceeded four thousand on the Important front.

Finnish quarters make no attempt to conceal the fact that the position is still serious, but they are sufficient- ly confident as to place reservists in the new front-line defences in order to give the more seasoned troops an opportunity to rest.

The Russians have not followed up their gains, The eastern end

Line of the Mannerheim

SEW little action yesterday and 'further north, the duel was principally between artillery.

The Finns have now called up every man of military age, including those who have had no military training.- Havas.

MOSCOW CLAIM (SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

Moscow, To-day. The Red Army has driven a spear- head into the Mannerheim Line to of Viborg and have within 4 miles penetrated the Line at several other points, according to a Soviet communi- que-Havas.

#

Prince Rene de Bourbon bas joined the Finnish Army, This exclusive picture shows him boarding a plane at Brussels for Helsinki, where he done the uni- form of the Finns. (Copyright, Fox).

•

ALLIED HINT TO SOVIET

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") LONDON, TO-DAY, GOVERNMENT QUARTERS AB. SERT THAT THE FUTURE AT. TITUDE OF THE ALLIES TOWARDS RUSSIA DEPEND LARGELY UPON GERMAN- THE EFFECTS OF THE SOVIET ECONOMIC AGREEMENT ON GERMAN WAR ECONOMY.

The Allies, they stated, are unlikely to remain passive in face of the con-

of German oil stant replenishing

Bri- reserves by the Soviet, and tain and France might sooner or later be compelled to contemplate some ac- tion in the Black Sea to cut off pas- sage of Soviet oil to the Reich. Havas.

EUROPEAN IN OPTIMISM ACCIDENT

Mr.. Kellar, of No. 30, Mody Road, sustained a nasty injury to the nose when his car crashed into a building at the junction of Road Mody Road and Chatham yesterday morning.

The accident occurred when he swerved in an attempt to avoid suddenly a Chinese child who darted across the road.

The car was badly damaged and Mr. Kellar was treated at the Kowloon Hospital

AGREEMENT WITH THE there was the usual artillery activity.

In the Suvanto district and Talpale LAND-MINE

ALLIES DENIED

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

Helsinki, To-day. The Foreign Minister, M. Tanner to-day categorically denied reports that Finland had concluded an agree-. ment with Britain and France pro- viding for military aid for Finland.

It was also denied that he is shortly going to London with the Premler, Dr. Rysto Ryti. Havas.

On

Berlin Hesitant

Mediation Issue

(SPECIAL TO “CHINA MAIL"). Paris, To-day, Well-informed circles confirm that

On the North-east coast of Lake Lado- ga Finnish forces repelled enemy at- tacks and captured some strong points. They took eight guns, destroyed three tanks and about 70 convoy vehicles. The enemy left about 570 dead.

In the Kuhnis sector there were skirmishes in which the enemy lost 30 killed. Reuter.

FORTY KILLED IN SOVIET AIR RAID

Helsinki, To-day. Forty people were killed in a Soviet on one Finnish town on Satur-

LOSSES

Paris, To-day.

а

One man was killed, three are miss- ing and eight were seriously injured as a result of Nazi land-mines; French patrol suffered these casual ties when it penetrated into German territory west of the River Saar.

German companies attacked

two French outposts on Saturday; they were repulsed. Reuter.

IN MOSCOW

Moscow, To-day.

The feeling is growing among the public here that the Red Army will overrun Finland within a few weeks. Confidence is based partly on the the official communiques, partly on stories from soldiers returning from the front and partly on appreciation of Russia's vast numerical superior- Ity.

Though the authorities may share the optimism they are not voicing it,, possibly because earlier predictions were not fulfilled-Reuter.

BRITISH SUPPLY OF PLANES TO AUSTRALIA

Sydney, Yesterday, The Australian Air · Minister-an-

nounced to-day that Great Britain was supplying Australia with 300 to 400 Fairey bombers and 500 Avro Anson reconnaissance machines. for the Empire training scheme.-Reu- ter,

R.A.F. RECRUITING

Mr. F. Whitecross, residing at No.

Malta, To-day. 102, Waterloo Road, reports that be- Recruiting for the Royal Air Force tween 2 a.m. and 6 am to-day, a | has been arranged for. Maltese nation- thief entered his residence and stole als under the same conditions

Is announce clothing and money to the value of those in Brit $170.