The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-12-02
In accordance with general stat plans.
 Analysis of War To Date
 By LOUIS F. KEEMLE lIfniAAd RnAaa fNnhla RAlAnnA
UnIted Press Cable Edltorl

United Press Cable Editor)
 The Films, tough and hardy race, are putting up @ stiff fight against overwhelming odds.
 Ther initial success in meeting the Russian attack by land, sea and air from all sides has surprised those who expected a quick Russian sweep. But the Films are carrying out their promise that they would fight for their independence, even If two fight alone.
 We have fought the Russians before and we will fight them again" Is the motto of those deter mined to keep the freedom they have enjoyed for 20 years after centuries of Swedish and Russian domination.
 The world little doubts that the might of Russia will prevail in the end against Finland's scanty re- sources. her lack of nanpower, artillery, airplanes, tanks and ships. But 1t may be the Russians will know they have been in fight The Poles fought, too, but were overwhelmed Poles had no chance against the deadly, machine-like advance of the Germans, preceded by waves of airplanes, that blasted and scattered the defenders.
 Lacks rrussian Precision
 The Russians campaign in Finland so far seems to lack the PruSsian precision used against Poland. War dispatches indicate that the Films are being pushed back in teh Kare- Han Peninsula, along the border near Leningrad, but that they are resisting fiercely and giving ground slowly.
 In the North Petsamo Corridor to the Arctic, the Films are offering similar resistance. Latest reports from that remote area above the Arctic Circle are that the Films have succeeded in pushing the Rus sians out of Petsamo itself and are making Q stiff stand with their backs against the Norwegian border. |
 In spite of their inferior equip. ment and manpower, the Films have | several advantages. Their tough | fishermen, peasants and lumber workers are fighting for their homc- land, and their fierce devotion to 1t Is historic.
 Petsamo In Bad Spot
 In the snowbound country around | Petsamo, the Russians are unable to | make effective use of their artillery and tanks. Their forces from the | well-manned bases at Kola and | are forced to meet the | Fifns on equal terms and fight 1t | out with rifle and machine gun.
 In the south, such ports as Hell sinki (Helsingfors) and viipuri (Viborg) are vulnerable to Russia's | superior air force and fleet. The Finnish plan in the south and in | Karelia, which is the main line of | defense, is to fall back If necessary into the lake.strewn interior.
 There the terrain Is ideal for defense and heavily offsets the oper- ation of Russian tanks and mechan. i2ed units In fact, Russian efficiency in machine-age fighting, although the Russians have the machinery, remains to be tested.
 In other words, how capable Is the Russian peasant-soldier of han- ding machines which still remain something of a terrifying mystery to him9
 Why Stalin Struck
 It has been taken for granted that Stalin struck ct Finland be. cause he wants to consolidate his Baltic position quickly and turn his attention to the Balkans.
 Finland's resistance may slow up his plans. It Is possible, however. if Stalin can occupy and fortify the south coast along the Gulf of Finland, the Karelian peninsula and Petsamo in the north, Stalin will bide his time to dispose of the en- circle. Films in the interior.
 Stalins long-range plan general ly is reputed in Europe to be to use Finland as base for penetra- ton into Sweden mad Norway, and for taking control of the Baltic from Germany.
 Paris reports that stalin wants to fortify the Aland Islands, guarding the entrance of the Gulf of Bothnia into the Baltic. He would thus con- trol the Swedish ports from which the vast store of iron ore is ship. ped, and the Finnish lumber and woodpulp ports.
 Whip Hand Over Germany
 If Stalin succeeds, he would hold the whip hand over Germany, which depends on 60 per cent of the ore needs of its war industry on Sweden.
 stalin could almost dictate terms to Germany and make her an ally, even if an unwilling one. in any of his projects.
 StaAn's plans in the north are said to envisage expansion along the Nor- wegian coast. With the excellen. ports of Murmansk and Petsamo in l