Evening star., 1939-11-13
By CONSTANTINE BROWN.


The fate of Finland is now closely
linked with that of the Netherlands
and Belgium. The Soviet demands
will increase or decrease in accord
ance with whether Germany will
decide to throw her forces against
the LoWlands or not.
The negotiations between the
Helsinki and Moscow governments
have lasted longer than expected.
When the Soviets decided to gobble
up the Baltic states they ordered
their foreign ministers to come to
Moscow and sign on the dotted line.
When the Firms were summoned
they refused. The intervention of
President Roosevelt helped. The
German foreign Office experts
warned Moscow that a precipi-
tated action against Finland would
stir up American public opinion to
a point where the Government
might not be able to keep neutral.
This appeared so much more prob
able to the Berlin diplomats as the
other two Scandinavian countries
announced publicly that they would
make common cause with Finland.
And the experts of American affairs
in Berlin warned the Russians that
the most isolationist section of
America-the Middle West-would
become bellicose overnight.
This situation made the horse
trading negotiations between Hell
sinki and Moscow more protracted
than ever. The Finnish negotiators
put their cards on the table early
IN the game. They told the Rus
slams if they intended to deprive
Finland of her independence with
the same tricks used on other Baltic
states there would be no dice. Fin
land would rather fight than sur
render to the Moscovites. But they
we're prepared to give up a few is
lands in the Gulf of Finland to en-
able the Russians to complete the
defenses for Leningrad and Krons-
tad
The Russians changed their de-
mands every week. Stain was play
ing waiting game. When 1t ap-
peared the war might break out
with fierceness on the western front
they increased their demands; when
1t appeared the lull would continue
they talked sense.
During the last four days the
threat to Holland and Belgium has
become more accentuated. The
political strategists in Berlin ap-
peared to have gained the upper
hand and seemed to have won a
victory over the military. They went
on the assumption that they might
just as we'll be hung for a sheep as
for lamb and have great hopes
that the Fuehrer might throw away
all caution and attack the lowlands.
That is exactly what the Rus
SLAMS want. A general war is their
meat. 1t means beyond the shadow
of a doubt the propagation of Com
munism in Europe And the de-
mands on Finland increased as soon
as the rumors of pending attack
on the western front increased.
The Finnish delegation went
home Like the Turks, the Firms
did not see any reason why they
should linger in Moscow although
they had been given excellent din
ners and the most comfortable
quarters the Soviet capital could
offer.
They told Molotoff that since it
is evident the Soviet intentions
were to swallow up Finland their
presence in Moscow had become
useless. If by any chance the Rus
sian government changed its mind
and was willing to talk "readjust-
ments" it would find the Firms
ready to return and talk business
4 X
As the situation stands now, it Is
evident that if Hitler does not rush
the lowlands, the Firms still have
a chance to escape the horrors ot
a war with the U. S. S. r. If, on
the other hand, Hitler follows the
advice of Herr Won Ribbentrop, Hess
Goebbels, ETC., the Firms will have
to fight for their independence.
**
Not only human beings, automo.
biles and horses have been mobilized
IN Germany. A recent order from
the German high command mobi.
lized all the dogs between / and {
years of age.
RUG Rkuxkv Our 0uiv