Evening star., 1939-12-03
~ the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Dec. 2.-The tert
Of Finnish Foreign Minister
V1ino Tanners broadcast. as
transcribed By the National
Broddcasting Co., tollo1us!
Honored American radio listen
ers: We Firms are a people who
do not spring surprises on the
world for we are people who
cling to realities, who do not let
their emotions run away with
them. I, being a Finn, am no
exception to this rule.
My life has been based on re-
atty. To a person of my type.
foreign politics which tend to
have vague outlines and in which
one is dealing with impounder-
able forces and surprises of the
recent crises, has been alien.
During the two days that I have
acted as my country's foreign
minister, I have found out that
my views regarding the import
of the forces at work have been
unjustifled. At least in times
like these we are now experience
ing in Finland, foreign politics
are concrete.
The forces at work are real
So that in taking up my duties,
I find myself dealing with the
solidest realities. I am referring
to the realization of foreign pol
icy, for when arms begin to speak,
the Foreign Minister has less
and less to say, and the Min
lister of Defense all the more.
What I am referring to is an
other important factor of force
in foreign politics, the influence
OF which is felt even through
the clash of arms.
Now is Engaged in
Symbolic Struggle.
The sympathy shown tor our
country by many nations is. in
my opinion, such reality it is
surprising foreign politics. For
as we'll as confirming our con-
fidence in the justice of our case,
the struggle we are engaged in
now. instead of being only the
fight of a small nation for ex-
jstence, it begins a symbolic
struggle on behalf of human
justice.
The word sympathy" has
seemed to us to be directed not
so much to us but to a higher
purpose which the civilized opin-
ion of the world has sensed in
our struggle. Now that the op-
portunity to speak to you, radio
listeners in the United States,
has fallen to me, I wish to
remind you that my predecessor
in office, Mr.. Erkko, has already
described the deciding principles
Of our foreign policy during the
whole period of our independ-
ence. We have desired with all
our soul to participate in the
organization of international re-
lations with the aid of agree
ments concluded in a spirit of
friendship which would guaran-
tee to the utmost extent a peace
full solution of disputes. We have
also desired to adhere to the
agreements concluded, to hold
the promises given and the obli-
cations entered into sacred, and
we hope that our honest desires
to keep our word have not
passed unnoticed by the world.
The position Of my predecessor
was difficult. know that he
struggled the whole time for the
peaceful solution of the issues
between the Soviet Union and
Finland in the belief that the
honor and the interest of a
great power demanded the OBJ
servation of the same principle
in its dealings. with a small
nation as that small nation OBJ
served, namely, adherence to
agreements solemnly concluded.
It was a bitter hour for him when
three days ago he received the
news that the Soviet Union had
resorted to the use of force. The
bitter disappointment is shared
by the entire Finnish nation.
Like Mr.. Erkko, the nation had
believed that Finland's case, the
justice, the foundation of which
was so rock-like firm. would find
recognition also on the part of
its big neighbor.
Believe That Justice
Will Prevail in End.
In spite of this disappointment,
the Finnish people still retain
their belief that justice will pre-
vail in the end and that the
independence and integrity of
Finland cannot be destroyed by
the means to which our eastern
reighbor has resorted these last
days. This belief has been pow
erfully present.
AS I already said, by our con-
sciousness that the civilized
world, with the American people
and the Government of the
United States in the van, has
By the many different express
sions of sympathy with our peo-
pie, has given us this assurance,
this fight in the Far North is
not only yours but that Of count
less fellow human beings all over