Evening star., 1925-05-31
BORDERING STATES
IN FEAR OF SOVIET
Northern Boundary Nations
Uniting Against Spread
OF Boishevism.
BY r. 4. MACKENZIE.
u II -'E-NNHHHI- N<1HH1'
By Radio TO The Star and Chicago Daily Ne

By Radio to The Star and Chicago Daily News.
REVAL, Esthonia, May 30.-The
visit of the President of Finland to
Reval, following the recent visit of
Esthonia's state head, jackson, 10
Riga, marks another step in the unfit
cation of the Russian northern border
states against feared Soviet aggres-
sion.
Esthonia and Latvia already have
reached a mutual military understand
ing which almost certainly will be fol-
lowed next year by a commercial
treaty removing the customs barrier
between the two countries. Finland is
more unwilling to come to formal
understanding on defense. although
the Finnish people would Immediately
rush to Esthonia S aid as in 1919. if
necessary.
See Real Danger.
The recent proposal Of Sweden's So
cialist government to reduce its mill
tary forces from six to four divisions
is fastening border state alliances.
Latvia and Esthonia consider them
selves in real danger.
Reval made of the Finnish Presi-
dents visit a two-day holiday for pub
lie rejoicing and the exchange of vows
of close friendship. The main feature
OF the celebration was a great military
parade upon Petersplatz. where the
Esthonian army assembled. Eight
numerically weak battaIions Of l.egu-
lars were present, with five battalions
of white guards besides squadrons Of
lancers and three whippet tanks
Three monoplanes and three biplanes
flew overhead. The troops looked well
trained and efficient, but only about a
third of the regulars wore steel he'll
NETS. There was no evidence of chemi-
cal warfare equipment, either offensive
or defensive.
The white guards represent one of
the most encouraging features Of the
Esthonian defense scheme. Since the
Communists attempted their December
putsch. volunteer white guards have
been formed in every village and
town. They are armed, officered and
drilled by the regular army Bows of
Is and men of so marched in the ceIe-
bration parade, including every class,
from teachers to laborers.
Proud of Army.
The Esthonians are tremendously
proud of their army. One high off
cial informed the writer 1t could hold
up 100000 Russians. Another declared
each Esthonian was capable of repel-
ling 10 Russians. They apparently
make the mistake of confoundiny the
capacity of the present highly equip
ped Russian army with the i'll equip
ped red guards they defeated in 1918.
Esthonian statesmen, recognizing
that the border states however
valiant. could not hope long TO stand
alone if actual war came, are en-.
deaVoring to secure still wider for
eign alliances. Hence the rumors in
the Russian press that Esthonia in
tends to lease the islands Dago and
Oesel to Great Britain as a naval ba Sc
The writer found keen desire among
one section of the Esthonian public
that Great Britain should OCCUPY
these islands, but no evidence what
ever that Great Britain had offered
to do 80.
After examining the position here.
the writer is convinced that Esthonia' 8
real danger today lies, not in a Rus
sian military advance, which is highly
improbable. but In the outcome of an
economic war in which Russia holds
all the high cards. A Russian mar
ket is essential to Esthonia's full pros
perity. As punishment for the drastic
measures and the many executions
used in repressing the December
putsch, Russia is transferring the
handling of many million pools of
transit trade from Reval to nom
Esthonian ports.
Industries Dying.
Esthonias s metal trade, once pros
porous, now has largely disappeared
Narva's textile mills. capable of en-
ploying $4,000 persons, are only partly
operative. Russians recently offered
to buy them, one bolshevist boast
fully declaring, I'VE will employ 15,-
600 Communists there"
Another Russian offer recently was
made for two other great works at
Dorpat and Reval. Both were re-
fused Two fires broke out in one
of the places since the refusals. The
F.sthonians bl2me their recent great
bank failure on Russian intrigues.
Military parades upon PetersplatZ
and even the formation of white
guards are powerless to fight this
economic menace.
Copyright, 1928, by Chicago Daily News co.,