Evening star., 1940-03-11
FinIund's Mission
Believed Still
In Moscow
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
STOCKHOLM, March l1.-Scan-
dinavia held high hopes today that
a peace agreement would be reached
between Finland and Soviet Rus
sia In their three-and- -one- half
month conflict.
Newspapers were unanimous in
expressing belief that peace agree
ment was near at hand, but there
was no confirmation that a de-
cision actually had been reached.
The Finnish delegation which
went to Moscow last week was re-
ported this morning to have left
for home with the peace conditions
by way Of Stockholm, but the men
failed to arrive and Swedes con-
cluded they still were conferrlng
in the Kremlin.
Final Decision Near.
The belief was emphasized in in
formed quarters that the whole
~ OF peace or continued war
--.v~ Is reached a point of final
decision and that an announcement
can be expected at any time.
The odds in favor of peace were
quoted here as 2 to / and a general
feeling of optimism prevailed. The
stock exchange was strongly stimu-
lated.
The possibility that Germany and
Italy might guarantee a Russian
Finnish peace was reported, mean
while. in the Scandinavian press,
but authorized sources in Berlin de-
MED any such possibility.
Finland's negotiators were gen.
orally assumed to have asked guar
antees and it was expected that the
Finnish republic, fearful of a Finn
ish Mdnich," would insist on assur-
ances against renewed Soviet attack
If present hostilities are ended.
Reports of a possible Finnish
Swedish Norwegian defense union,
however, were regarded skeptically
in informed quarters.
Some observers said the primary
guarantee Finland would want with
peace settlement would be a de-
milltarized zone along the revised
frontier with full opportunity to
reconstruct her defenses.
Terms Reported Offered.
These are the terms informed
sources say Russia has offered:
l. A new Karelian Isthmus border
leaving Viipuri on the Finnish side,
but placing . large part OF the Man
nerheim Line in Russian territory.
2. Retention by Russia Of islands
in the Gulf Of Finland, but with
Hanko, port on the southwestern tip
of Finland and. the far northern
Petsamo area remaining to Finland.
German Italian guarantees, the
reports said. would be in addition
to any safeguards to Finnish secur-
ity contained in a peace agreement
Swedish public opinion against
any new attack on Finland in the
event of a settlement, it was held
amounts to tacit guarantee of
Swedish assistance should occasion
arise again.
There was growing indications OF
anger in Sweden and Norway, mean
while, over the attitude of the west
ern powers toward the role of Scan
dinavia in the Finnish situation.
Resentment appeared strong par
ticularly over accusations that
Sweden exerted pressure on Finland
to make peace, that Sweden was
exploiting her own interests and
that Sweden and Norway were en-
visaging some sort Of pact with Ger
many.
DO these accusations in the
French press and radio mean that
the Western powers essential inter-
est Is to make the northern coun-
tries a theater of WARP" asked q
Swedish broadcaster last night.
The same commentator listed vari-
GUS accusations and described them
as denying themselves by their very
absurdity."
Gunther Reported Going to Berlin
The newspaper Aftonbladet pub
lshed an unconf1rmed report that
Foreign Minister Christian E. Gun
ther of Sweden was en- route to
Berlin.
This revived rumors that the Ger
Russian partners were seeking
(see STOCKHOLM, Page A-lO)