1940-03-18 — Page 10

MILITARY MEANING OF RUSSO-FINNISH PEACE TREATY

London, To-day.

A TALK ON THE MILITARY significance of the Russo-Finnish peace treaty was given by Captain Cyril Falls, military correspondent of "The Times," from Daventry yesterday.

The Russian attack on Finland, he said, has ended as it was bound to if sufficient aid did not come in time. The reasons why that aid did not come are complicated and not wholly clear even now. in any case, they were political and he was not going to discuss them.

In connexion with the military significance, however, he was not going to go back on what he said a short time ago, that the Russians had been pulled together and that their operations against the Manner- heim Line in the Summa sector were well directed.

Apart from the ground which they lost, the Finns were exhaust- ed by the unceasing assaults and the speed with which the Red Army followed up the Finnish withdrawals.

The Finns had no relief troops, and this was the beginning of the end.

The effect of the new frontier, the loss of the Karelian Isthmus and the northern shore of Lake Ladoga, de- prives Finland of much of her power to resist any such onslaught in the future. The siting and construction of the Mannerheim Line was a work of the highest skill and these con- ditions cannot be replaced.

SOUTHERN COAST OPEN

Equally strong fortifications might be built on many of the big lakės, but these would not block the way to the most thickly populated and richest area of Finland, the southern coast.

Captain Falls emphasized once- more that the mobile tactics the Finne used so effectively on the eastern · frontier would not serve the same purpose in the south, where the Russians could deploy sufficiently to disregard them. The demobilization of Petsamo and the Soviet right of way across to Norway. seemed to be more of a concern to Norway than to Finland, because the latter could hardly have defended this area for long.

Similarly, the railway to be built, and the Soviet right of way, across Finland's waist-line, was more of a threat to Sweden, although its main purpose now might merely trade.

EAT AT —

The loss of Hangoe was not for the purpose of holding Finland in chains but rather to strengthen the Soviet position in the Baltic, especially in the Gulf of Finland.

LONG AND BITTER

It might be that chances were missed by the Allies and Scandinavia and the world in general, There might be cause for self-reproach, but the sending of a rellef expedition would have been difficult and hazar- dous, owing to vulnerable communi- cations.

is

Success might have followed, but in any case the struggle would have been a long and bitter one. There is no place for optimism. Finland has been successfully weakened. It doubtful whether in future she can maintain her defences without the whole country being virtually ruin- ed.

But she had proved her point. He did not think Russia would ever have embarked on this war had she realised the cost. ormously. Reuter.

She had lost en-

BRITISH VOLUNTEERS ARRIVE

London, To-day.

The Finnish Aid Bureau in London

is asking the Finnish Government for advice as to the future of the British volunteers.

sald The Directors of the bureau yesterday that about 1,000 had taken the oath to fight for Finland and that be for 300 have already reached the Finnish

frontier.Reuter.

Jimmy's Kitchen

INEXPENSIVE SATISFYING

DUTCH

THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 18, 1940

MOTORSHIP ATTACKED

Amsterdam, To-day.

The orew of the Dutch motor- ship Nottir, 477 tone, which ar-. rived at Flushing yesterday evening, stated that she had been attacked without warning by a Nazi plane.

The attack occurred off the south-east coast of England and Bho

was machine-gunned and bombed, without effect. Nobody was hurt and the bombe missed the ship.

The Nottir landed two cast- aways from the "Melrose" at Zeebrugge Reuter,

MINE EXPLOSIONS

CONGRESS RESOLUTION

Ramgarh, To-day.

At the instance of Mr. Gandhi, the Congress, Working Committee adopted a resolution expressing deep regret ⚫at the death of Sir Michael O'Dwyer and the wounding of Lord Zetland and the others.

"The committee does not attach any political significance to this unfor tunate act. Nevertheless, it wishes to reiterate the conviction that all such acts are injurious to the national cause."

11.

The resolution will not come before an open session. Reuter.

PRINCES PASS REGRETS

Lahore, To-day.

The States Council, presided over by the Maharajah of Patiala, has passed a resolution regretting the death of Sir Michael O'Dwyer and the wounding of Lord Zetland, "an outstanding friend of India and her

civilization.”—Reuter.

LONDON MEETING

London, Yesterday.

Two terrific explosions, vibrations of which were not only experienced. over the whole of Cheung Chau Is- land but were also felt on the main- A remarkable demonstration of the land, occurred last night off the south-feelings of horror felt by Indians in. east coast of the Island.

Britain at the murder of Sir Michael, O'Dwyer was afforded by a meeting summoned urgently at India House by the India High Commissioner, Sir Firoz Khan and attended by a large and representative gathering.

No damage, so far, to buildings has been reported.

The entire population of the Is land was awakened by the explo- sions and windows in buildings on the mainland rattled.

The explosions were caused by two mines, the first exploding at 11.55 p.m. last night and the second at 12.30 am. this morning,

"A resolution expressing detestation of crime was moved by Dr. Katial, representing the Hindu Association, seconded by Dr. Mohamedi, of the ANOTHER EXPLOSION TO-DAY

Moslem Society, and supported by Another mine exploded off Cheung Dr. Patuck, President of the Parses Chau Island at 10 a.m. to-day.

Association of Europe and Mr. Sant- The police from Cheung Chau Po-wan of the India Christian Com- lice Station are investigating.

munity-British Wireless.

ANNA JOINED THE NAVY

-AND ENJOYED IT!

London, February 21.

JOLLY ANNA ANDERSON, Danish ship stewardess, joined the British Navy for four days after her ship was tor- pedoed in the North Sea. "Never will I go to sea again," she said yesterday. "Not until the war is over, anyway. I will got back home now and get married and have a family.

"We spent four days on the des- troyer and I liked 'joining' your Navy if only as a passenger. I almost be- came the mascot of the ship."

Laughing now that her ordeal was over, Anna sald: "Your Navy was splendid. They gave me a special cabin. Someone must have moved out to make room for me, for, you know, women don't, usually travel on warships. The captain gave me this scarf. I will keep it all my life as a memento." Anna was stewardess, on the Sleiner, which sunk five minutes after the crew had abandoned her.

She spent twelve hours scantily clad in an open boat before being picked up by the British destroyer. She is believed to be the first woman

to "joln" the British Navy.

NO EFFORT TO HELP

Speaking of the torpedoing. · Anna said, "I was asleep when I must have been awakened by a shot. I also saw our sister ship, the Rhone, struck by a torpedo. We were travelling to- gether, one convoying the other for safety.

"We were lighted up and there were huge Danish flags and neutrality marks on the side.

"We knew our turn was next and five minutes from waking up, our ship was torpedoed. I did not see the sub- marine, but it made no effort to help us.

"Anyway," added Anna, "I've sent a wire to my sweetheart, so now I'm going home to get married."

By George McManus

Bringing Up Father

COLD HERE IN

BY GOLLY. IT'S

WASHINGTON- IM GLAD WERE ON OUR WAYAT DOWN SOUTH-

WOW! WILL I BE GLAD TO GIT TO ¿FLORIDA-MAGGIE

SAID SOMETHIN' ABOUT LEAVING

TOMORROW-DEL

WHAT'S THAT?

A LETTER ABOUT OUR RESERVATIONS IN FLORIDA

NO-I'VE CHANGED. MY MIND ABOUT FLORIDA-WE JUST GOT THIS INVITATION-

IT IS TO THE?-- SAINT PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL SKATING-SKIING» AND SLEGHING» ;

WE WILL FLY TOMORROW TO

GET THERE

ON TIME

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