Evening star., 1939-12-11
Leoque Offers Reds Mediation;
ReD|v Within "a Hours Asked:
Finn Skiers Pierce Russ Line
Follows Finn Plea
For All Practical
Aid Possible
~ the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
GENEVA, Dec. 1.-THE League
of Nations Assembly today asked
Soviet Russia to accept League
mediation in the Russian Finnish
conflict. 1t requested reply within
"a hours.
The request was telegraphed to
Moscow following an appeal from
Finland's delegate, Rudolf Holsti,
for AL practical support possible"
against Russia.
A committee considering the Fin
nish appeal unanimously adopted a
proposal by Sweden that Russia be
asked to accept mediation.
British Undersecretary for For
eign Affairs r. A. Butler said the
time limit of "a hours should be set
for reply.
I'VE must have no illusions on
the oucome," Mr. Butler told the
committee which continued its work
in belief that Russia would refuse.
5O-5O Chance OF Success.
A Soviet spokesman at Geneva
said, however, that there was a
$3.50 chance Moscow would accept.
If such acceptance were forth
coming. Jakob Surits, Russian Am
baSSador tc Paris. could act as
Russia's representative without de-
lay since he already is in Geneva
to watch League proceedings in
which Russia is not participating.
Finland's appeal was referred to
committee after a dramatic speech
by Holsti
1--WE cannot protect the Finnish
people against aggression. bullets,
hand grenades and gas with inter-
national resolutions" he declared.
Finnish charges that Russians
have used gas in the invasion of
Finland have been denied officially
in Moscow
The white-haired Holsti. former
Finnish foreign minister and former
Stanford University professor, was
applauded loudly by almost all the
delegates of 40 nations when he rose
to speak
Almost a third of Holsti's speech
was taken up with flinging back
quotations from former Russian
Foreign Commissar Maxim Litvln-
offs speech before the Assembly two
years ago condemning aggression in
an attempt to obtain League aid tor
the Spanish Republicans.
Expect Active Aid.
I'VE believe the civilized world
which has already expressed its
great sympathy for us, will not let
us fight alone against an enemy
superior IN number" Holsti said
in his address.
Our position as the front line o1
western civilization permits us te
expect active aid on the part of al
civilized nations.
To all of these nations the Finn
ish people today appeal"
Referring to the Peoples" re.
gime proclaimed in Moscow as the
gomernment ; Finland. he flune
back Litvinc words of two wears
ago:
The recognition of rebels as a
legitimate government is itself an
Intervention on their behalf"
Holsti then said:
Now the Soviet government is
creating its own scandalous prece-
dent"
Slowly and dramatically, the Fin
nish delegate concluded:
Gentlemen, do your duty. The
Finnish people is doing its duty
toward the entire civilized world
and it is paying with that most
precious thing of all-its own blood.
A wave oI applause greeted the
end of his address.
Peace Move Is Urged.
At the opening session, Karl J
Hambro Of Norway newly elected
president of the Assembly, told
delegates they must do their utmost
to halt the Russian Finnish war
1T is for us to act in order that
little people in distress will not be
deceived" Hambro said
Many expressions of sympathy
prove the magnanimity of many
nations. We must act with pru-
dence and foresight in order to make
this assembly the starting point for
a new league.
This assembly is a point of de-
parture for a new hope. We face
very grave moment, and it is the
duty of every League member to
remain true to its ideals"
The Assembly turned the Finnish
appeal over to committee which
met Immediately after the Assembly
adjourned.
Before adjournment. Hambro an
nounced that Lithuania, which
stood little chance of election tc
the new council because she signed
mutual assistance pact with
Russia, had withdrawn her candi-
dacy
All delegates were asked 70 be
ready day and night to expediate the
appeal.
The committee includes Britain
France, Sweoer. Norway. Carada
India. Egypt. Portugal, Venezuela
Bolivia, Uruguay and Thailano
(Siam.
Finnish Documents Issued.
AS the assembly session opened
Secretary General Joseph A. C
Avenol issued list of IA documents
submitted by the Films, which in
cluded the notes between Finland
and Russia and a report on the
bombardments of Helsinki.
The Russian delegate, Jakot
Surits, remained in his hotel and
received reports of proceedings
through his assistants.
Eight vice presidents were chosen
by the assembly. They were the
- II