The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-12-04


 tin reported that 1000 Russians were believed killed by land mines near Terijoki, after Films had with drawn from there. Civilians, hear these explosions and seeing the glow in the east, believed that the Films had set afire the huge Russian naval base at Kronstadt with artil- lery shells. Official Finnish sources denied that -1ronstadt had been shelled. It is l2 miles from the Fin nish border.
 It was reported in both Scandi- navian and German quarters that the Russian cruiser Kirov, damaged by Finnish land batteries in a bat tie at Hanko (Hango) port, had en- tered the harbor at Tallinn, Esthon- ia, for repairs, lowed by three tugs.
 In the north, beyond the Arctic circle, fierce fighting was reported around the Petsamo district. The Films had recaptured the ice free port Saturday and claimed to still be holding 1t against overwhelming numbers of Russians, some landing from ships and some dropping in parachutes from airplanes.
 Films Deserting Capital
 It was estimated that less than 90,000 of Helsinkis normal popula- ton of almost 100000 remained. The others had gone, most of them to woods surrounding the city.
 Ryti, in an interview with the United Press early today, said the city appeared to be more or less safe from airplane raids as long as the storm lasted and i've are very hap py."
 It was understood that Ryti's cab- inet had been meeting in the vault of the national bank, of which he was governor until called upon to head new government last week. There were few men of military age left here, but the streets were filled with women in uniform-members of the Lotta Svaerd defense organ- ization. Many old men and young boys had taken up guns for last stand If 1t became necessary.
 Citizens had piled up feather beds around the windows of their homes before leaving, to lessen the shock of bombs, and all houses had been sprayed with water, which had quickly formed into ice, as a protec- tion against incendiary bombs.
 All Schools Closed
 All schools in the country were closed. The buildings were being used as barracks. Supplies reportedly were coming in from Sweden and the Dagens Nyheter said at Stock holm that 50 airplanes, bought by Finland from Italy, had already been delivered to the Finnish army.
 In the southeast on Karelian Isth- mus, two Finnish divisions of about 10000 men were reported holding off a Russian corps of 10000. It was said that in eXterminating two con- panies of Russians Saturday. the Films had used new type of machine pistols firing 250 rounds per minute.
 A review of the war up to noon Sunday, as published by the Scan- dinavian wireless, listed Finland s casualties as 85 dead and 182 wounded
 In the north, reports reaching Bergen, Norway, said Russian ships had attempted to land at the port of Linihamer but were driven off by coastal batteries. A Russian at- tack on Salmajaerv also was said to have been repulsed.
 At Svanik, Norway, 1t was reported that 200 Russians had parachuted into death trap behind the Finnish lines In the nickel mining region. Firms were closing in on two sides or the Russians, who seemed to have come from nowhere" ofter six large Russian planes were seen overhead.
 Large Scale Operation
 Although the Russian advance so far had been slow and costly, 1t was reported from several sources that large scale operations against Fin. land were about to start. The Scan- dinavian wireless reported that rail- way lines in Russia were crowded with military trains moving up to the Finnish frontier The Films ad- mitted that Russian naval forces had occupied the Islands of Seiskari and Lavansaari in the Gulf of Fin land, but disputed Russian an- nouncements that the Island of Suursaari tHoagland had been taken.
 Pyti. broadcasting to the United States, said we trust in the justice of our case. No one has advised us to fight with promises of assistance. "
 Films Still Hold Them
 Helsinki (Helsingfors), Dec. A. (UP)-Finnish fighting forces re- ported they were holding back the Red Army in the southeast and on the Arctic coast today but govern ment circles expected a major Soviet aerial attack as soon as weather permits.
 Reports that the Soviet Union planned to send an aerial armada against Hclsinki and other cities cir culated as the German steamship Donau sailed from the capital with German colonists and other for eigners. ofiicial sources professed