Evening star., 1939-10-09
Soviet Throws Weight
Behind Fuehrer's
Peace Gesture
Agrees With Germany to
Stimulate Trade.
Allies BIcsted
By the Associated Press.

0y the Associated Press.
MOSCOW, Oct. 9-Soviet Russia
threw her weight behind Adolf Hit
lers peace gestures today in an edi-
tor;al in the government newspaper
Izvestia, accusing Great Britain and
France of returning to the Middle
Ages" for waging war to "extermi-
nate Hitlerism."
At the same time it was an
nounced Premier Foreign Commits
sar Vyacheslaff Molotof had
reached a quick decision last night
with leaders of a German trade
delegation.
The delegation arrived yesterday
to stimulate trade between Russia
and Germany under the recent for
NAL trade and credit agreement be-
tween the Nazi- Communist part
ners. 1t was not specified what
goods were involved.
Besides the German delegat ton,
Russia was host to the foreign min
listers of Turkey and Lithuania and
expected third diplomat, former
1ICIlACl CuIlu huoll IddSlhlFl u
Finland, tonight or tomorrow Is
she pushed forward her bargain
driving campaign on Russian from
tiers from the Gulf of Finland to
the Black Sea.
The Lithuanian mission returned
to Kaunas today for consultations
with the government on results Of
important Lithuanian-Sovie talks
Return to Middle Ages"
1zvestia asserted British French
arguments that the war must be
prolonged to crush Hitlerism makes
us return to the gloomy middle ages
when devastating religious wars
we're carried on for the purpose of
the determination of heretics and
people of different religions"
ut is impossible" the newspaper
declared, ito exterminate any idea
or any opinion by fire and sword.
"One may respect or nate Hitler
Ism or any other system of political
opinions. This is matter of taste.
But to begin war for the 'extermi-
nation of Hitlerism' means to admit
to criminal Stiffness in policy
1zvestia said the rapid "disintegra-
ton" of Poland was ''irrefutable
proof that its lack of vital power re-
moves the causes for continuation
Of the war in Western Europe"
It continued:
Even the blind can now see that
the Polish state cannot be restored
to it's former shape and on its for
mer territory. Still, the war by
Great Britain and France against
Germany Is being Waged under the
slogan Of restoration of Poland.
Therefore, continuation of the
war cannot be justified by anything
and constitutes senseless slaugh-
ter Termination of this war would
meet the interests of the peoples
Of all countries
Hitler Proposals Lauded.
Hitler's proposals were described
rs real, practical basis for ne
gotiations for any early conclusion
of peace"
Izvestia asserted, however, British
and French newspapers demand
that Hitler's peace proposals be
given no consideration, and that
war be continued until the aims
which Great Britain and France
set for themselves when entering
the war be fully accomplished"
The ruling classes of Great
Britain and France, it said, have
never displayed too great readiness
to shed blood or, which is the main
thing, bear the expenses for any
theological purpose.
Declarations of lofty principles
and ideas usually served to camou-
flage mundane and material aspira-
tions. Naturally the question sug-
geSts itself whether the SlO-
gan of a struggle against Hitlerian
spirit and 'Hitlerian ideology' does
not camouflage different aims sug-
gested by the aspiration of ruling
circles for consolidation of
their world domination"
The editorial charged the British
and French ruling classes" with
attempting Ito protect their colonies
against German claims and enjoy
unshared control over the exploita-
ton of hundreds of millions of colo
nial slaves"
Interest in Finnish Talks.
Russian newspapers printed dis
patches from Tallinn, Estonia, as
Serting Lithuania was eager for the
agreement she is negotiating with
Russia and for Soviet protection
against imperialist countries"
Helsinki dispatches saying Fin
land was taking extraordinary" de-
tense measures also were given
prominence.
Interest centered on the impend-
Ing Finnish negotiations. Like
Estonia and Latvia, which already
have granted Russia important con-
cessions in non-aggression agree
ments, Finland is dWarfed by her
huge neighbor. But the Firms were
expected in diplomatic quarters to
put up more of an argument than
their neighbors in Northern Europe.
Foreign circles said Finland was
seeking the diplomatic backing of
Sweden and Germany and probably
would be supported by Sweden. In
Stockholm, however, there was no
confirmation of the report the
Helsinki government had requested
Sweden's help.
Informed Moscow sources foresaw
Finnish acceptance of any reason
able" Soviet proposals, but predicted
Finland would balk at paying too
high q price for an agreement.
Belief was expressed here that
Russia might seek the unfortified
islands of Lanvansaari and Seis-
kar, which control the approaches
to Leningrad through the Gulf Of
Finland
A Finnish Russian non-aggres-
sion agreement already exists and
economic issues between the nations
have been discussed previously
through normal diplomatic chan
nels.