New-York tribune., 1918-03-04
Germany Sends
Big Naval Force
To Aid Finland
Squadron Bearing Troops
Is on Way to Aland
Islands

STOCKHOLM, March 3.-German
troops are already on their way to help
Finland. A dispatch to the "Afton-
hladet' from Wisby reports strong
German squadron, comprising cruisers,
destroyers, torpedo boats and trans
ports. sighted passing Gotland, steer
ing straight north, apparently heading
for the Aland Islands
The American Minister, Ira Nelson
Morris, learned this afternoon that the
Swedish government had been informed
that the Germans intended to debark
their troops en- the Aland Islands, ap-
parently as a midway station. The
minister summoned the Allied minis
ters to a conference for a discussion Of
the necessary measures that should be
taken to prevent citizens of the Allied
countries from falling into German
hands. The political situation created
by the German action also was taken
up.
No Americans are likely to come
through Finland after tomorrow, but
there are a large number of French in
Petrograd, and also some British.
The German troops will be sent into
Finland, at the request of the Finnish
government, to suppress the revoln-
tion which is in progress there. accord
ing to an official statement issued here,
which says:
Say Firms Consent
'The German Minister at Stockholm,
acting under instructions from his
government, has informed the Swedish
Minister Of Foreign Affairs that Ger
many intended to send, at the request
of the Finnish government troops into
Finland to suppress the revolution.
These troops, by the consent of Fin
land, would in the course of their
operations make use of the Aland ISL
ands
"In order not to hinder the accom-
plishment of the humanitarian work
undertaken by Sweden in the Aland
Islands, Germany would agree to con-
fine herself to making use Of these
islands to organize there a necessary
halting place for the military expedi-
tion into Finland.
assurances also are given that Ger
many has no territorial interest what
ever in the islands and that the ques-
ton of the Alands. out of considera
ton for the vital interests of Sweden
regarding the islands, ought to be set
tied IN close agreement with TINS couN
try.
Sweden Protests
"While taking note of observations
made by the German government the
Swedish government, after pointing out
clearly It's serious objections to an
eventual utilization Of the Aland Isl
ands, which might bring the islands
into the sphere of war operations or
prevent the accomplishment of human
itarian work undertaken by Sweden
with 4 view to the protection Of the
/ population OF the islands, considered
/ it her duty TO lay stress on the point
/ that even limited utilization Of the
| Aland islands, which would take place
| according to the German government's
communication. might involve difficult
ties for the realization in the manner
desired of Sweden's humanitarian aims
regarding the islands.
"The commander Of the Swedish yu.
! pcrvislon corps in the Aland Islands
has been informed Of the expected ar
rival Of the German expedition and OF
I Germany's declaration on the subject >
German troops have previously been
reported on their way TO Finland to IN
| tcrvene in favor of the White Guard
which is fighting the Red Guard, o.
Bolshevik, forces for control there
These forces, however, were indicated
M Finnish soldiers who had served in
the German army and German volun-
tecrs.
The Alanl Islands, at the mouth OF
the Gulf OF Bothnia, between the Finn
ish coast and the Swedish mainland
formerly belonged to Sweden, but
passed into Russian possession more
than "a century ago. Swedish troops
were reported last week to have occu-
/ pied them as guard to maintain order
ard unofficial advices from Stockholm
later stated that under agreement both
Russian and Finnish troops would
nyacuate the islands, leaving them to
the inhabitants and the Swedish force
the islands TO be considered outside
the zone Of hostilities.