Evening star., 1939-12-13
Real Aid for Finland

oCoiy-dllu WIFI amazing eIectlVe-
ness-for her very existence, is in
urgent need of additional and very
practical assistance from her deeply
sympathetic friend, the United
States. While thoroughly grateful
for the ten-million- dollar loan just
made by the Reconstruction Finance
Corporation and the Export Import
Bank for strictly civilian uses, the
Red-besieged republic is endeavoring
to obtain further credits with which
to buy the replacement war supplies
which she must have to fight with
any possibility of enduring success
against the ruthless Soviet invader.
Under the terms of the million
dollar loan approved Monday, Fin
land must use the money for non
military purposes only. This condi-
ton is, it is true, in line with the
established policy of such Govern
ment lending agencies as the R. F. C.
and the ExportImport Bank, al
though there is no statutory prohi-
bition against United States loan
to foreign nation for acquisition
of military supplies-providing, of
course, the borrower is otherwise
qualified to become our debtor. And
no nation is better qualified to be
our favored debtor than scrupulous
Finland. incidentally, negotiations
for the Finland loan began before
Russia's hordes invaded the gallant
Baltic nation. In addition to the
money received from this Govern
ment as loan, the Finnish people
are receiving other financial aid from
America through such unofficial
sources as the Red Cross and the
committees for Finnish relief. These
constitute spontaneous expressions
of our deep interest in and sorrow
for Finland's plight.
But this is not enough. If it be
the real purpose of this Govern
ment to be of real aid to Finland
in her present emergency, The Star
can see no good reason for placing
any narrow restrictions on the money
which we see fit to lend her, estab-
lished policy to the contrary not
withstanding. If it be right for the
United States to make even a re-
stricted loan-and the favorable
public reaction to the announcement
of such loan and of suspension by
the Treasury of Finland's debt ac-
count is a clear indication of the
attitude of the American people in
this matter-then why is it wrong
to say to the stricken Firms: "Take
our money and buy with it not only
the clothing which will make you
more comfortable, but the war
planes and guns and munitions
which you must have to save your
homes and your lives? No viola
tion of our neutrality laws would
be involved, for it is the long -estab-
lished right of neutral to sell NUM-
tions of war to belligerent; aside
from such rights under international
law, the invasion of Finland by Rus
sia has not yet been recognized by
this Government as war requiring
invocation of our own neutrality law
regulations.
Lending officials are reported to
be hesitant to consider any relaxa-
ton of loan restrictions without
specific sanction of Congress. They
explain that money for the lending
agencies was appropriated after the
policy of restricting foreign loans to
non-military purposes had been
outlined to congressional committees
and had received their tacit ap-
prevail But if America waits for
Congress to give the matter atten-
ton, however probable it may be
that congressional approval of do
ing away with formalized restric-
tions ultimately would be forthcom-
ing, there may be no Finland left
to aid. Time is Uitally important
factor in the consideration OF this
problem. Finland is making coura-
geous stand against almost over
whelming odds. Her military experts
sincerely believe that, given adequate
military supplies, she can fight the
Reds to a standstill, and that she
can hold her defense lines indefi-
nitely. Such hopes sound, in the
light of the recognized odds, bravely
fantastic indeed, but Finland already
has shown her right to such hope
with her small but well-trained army
y The Star feels strongly that the
case of Finland is one that warrants
special treatment by the American
Government; that in the interests OF
international justice, and as gesture
Of deserved protest against totali-