Evening star., 1939-12-07
SoIemn-Faced Firms
Mark Independence
Al Legation Here
Minister Procope Greets
300 Visitors Personally
And Is Cheered

Solemn faced men and women
gathered last night at the Finnish
Legation, 2416 Tracy place NV, to
observe the 22nd anniversary of Fin
nish independence-and to pledge
their aid that there may be q 23rd
anniversary.
About 300 persons visited the Le-
cation during the evening, most OF
them Americans of Finnish descent.
Attaches said today they were
deeply touched" by the expressions
: of hope and sympathy.
Minister Hjalmar Procope was
cheered when he addressed the
group in Finnish.
"Our country has been attacked in
barbaric fashion," he declared, "but
remember Finland has survived be-
fore. No matter how great the
barbarian hordes, the Finnish spirit
has never been conquered"
The Minister told the visitors
that he had just talked with gov
ernment officials in Helsinki and
that they announced the Finnish
troops had checked the Russian
armies on all fronts.
Greets Visitors Personally.
There was no formal function,
but Minister Procope greeted each
of the visitors personally. Small
Finnish cakes-with icing of blue
and white, the national colors-
were served, along with coffee.
The visitors cheered when it was
announced that one Washington
woman of Finnish origin, who works
as a domestic servant, had given
her life savings of $400 to aid the
old country's cause. Another Finn
came from Muncie, Ind, to bring
500.
In the crowd were about Is Firms
from Newark, Del, who had char
tered bus to come here for the
occasion.
A statement issued by the Lega-
ton thanked Americans for the
help and their support. In the
statement the Minister said:
"On behalf of the people OF Fin
land and the government OF the
Republic of Finland, I want to ex-
press through the press our sincere
thanks to the great number Of peo-
pie in this country who are under
taking assistance to Finland in her
hour of need.
THE people of Finland are al
ready undergoing severe hardships
brought about by the need to defend
our country and our liberty. Om
cities and centers Of economic life
are largely evacuated Of women and
children and many men. This has
been necessary to save the lives of
our people from the bombs of the
enemy"
Tells Of Need of Ambulances.
He told of the need for ambu-
lances, medical supplies, food and
clothing and went on to thank
Herbert Hoover for hts efforts to
organize relief and Norman Davis
of the American Red Cross for that
organizations help.
"As the official diplomatic repre-
sentative of my government I must
exercise some restraint in discussing
the generous attitude of officials
of the government of the United
States. The people of this country
will, Of course, listen with care to
what is said by your President, your
Secretary OF State, your Congress.
II hope that in spite of the great
pressure which rests on every citi-
zen of Finland In our critical hour
we shall be able to carry on in
orderly and friendly manner our
relations with this great republic
of the United States and that the
American people will understand
that if our words of thanks are in
adequate, our hearts are full of
gratitude and the roll of friendship
is inscribed permanently in our
minds"