Evening star., 1940-02-28
500 British Volunteers on Way
To Join Fight for Finland
Comprise Part Of International Brgcde;
Kermit Roosevelt Considered as Head
~ the Associated Press.

NSTmIC NOOSeVeIt ~
~ the Associated Press.
LONDON, Feb. 2S.-About 500
British volunteers, members Of an
international brigade organized to
help Finland against Russia, were
disclosed today to be already on
their way to the northern war front.
This first contingent comprises
about q quarter of the international
force enlisted in Britain to give
unofacial military aid to the Firms,
supplementing undisclosed quanti-
ties OF war materials which the
British government has sent Fin
land.
1t was reported that Kermit
Roosevelt, son Of the late President
Theodore Roosevelt, was considered
for the post Of commander Of the
brigade by Field Marshall Baron
Carl Gustaf Mannerheim, Finland's
defense chief.
Mr.. Roosevelt was commissioned
as second lieutenant In the British
Army soon after war started.
To Use British Materials.
While the international brigade
has no official status in Britain, its
members will wear battle dress like
that of the British Army, with silver
collar badges carrying the letters
In" for international. They are
to use British war materials already
in Finland.
British organizations are con-
tinuing to collect money, clothing
medical supplies, ambulances and
fire engines for Finland. One organ
lzation announced today it had
raised $685., 900.
An expeditionary force supported
by men Of war and planes and de-
signed to strike at Soviet Russian
forces In Finland has been the SUBJ
tect OF serious discussion in mill
tary and naval circles for the past
month. 1t was learned authori-
tatively.
Talk Of such an expedition has
been inspired by protests against
half measures of aid for Finland
expressed by such divergent per-
sonalities as former War Secretary
Leslie Hore-Belisha and Comdr
Oliver Locker-Lampson, member OF
Parliament.
Russia Classed ~ Enemy.
AS envisaged, the expedition
would:
l. Give the Firms relief in the
form OF trained manpower-lots of it.
2. Strike at Russia, which now Is
classed with Germany in most
British public speeches as IAN en-
envy nation"-this despite the fact
the Soviet Union and Great Britain
technically are still at peace with
each other. Actually the only for
NAL declarations of war thus far
IN Europe have been the British and
French declarations against Ger
many.
3. Stall Russian economic assist
ance to blockaded Germany. The
reasoning here is that Russia would
have few supplies to spare once she
were matched against well-armed
and numerically strong foe.
Influence on Italy Seen.
Still another possible enect-in-
huence on Italy in favor Of the
allies-is cited by Gen. Sir Herbert
Cough. famed World War COM
mander, in an article In the maga-
zine. The English Speaking World.
Our open resistance to Russian
aggression now will 60 a long way
to influencing Italian policy in our
favor" he wrote, adding that it Is
possible Germany will not attack at
all this summer, devoting her ener-
gies rather to increasing her eco
nomic power in Central Europe.
Gen. Coughs statement sug-
gested the possibility of the use OF
the sea route to aid Finland. avoid
ing violation of the neutrality ter
ritory of Norway and Sweden until
and unless Russia or Germany do so
He said that delay in going to
war with Russia would gain nothing
for Britain, and added:
"A comparatively small use OF
our seapower could cut Russian
communications In the Arctic and
would not call for an effort beyond
our resources. while probably saving
a much greater effort later"
Turn to Broader Strategy.
With the western front still static,
the allies are said to be turning
to a broader concept of strategy
Finland and the Middle East are
looked upon by the highest military
and naval authorities as potential
fields for thanking attacks on Russia
and Germany.
It Is noteworthy that despite re-
cent Finnish reverses circles close
to the British foreign ONCE believe
the war in Finland will be Of con-
siderable duration"
Quarters which say an expedition
ary force Is under consideration
add that the temper Of the British
people calls for measures more
drastic than the collection Of funds
for food, clothing and medical sup
plies and approval of British en-
listments for the defense of Finland.
Declare Real Aid'' Sent.
British government spokesmen
have said read aid" Is being sent to
Finland, including planes, but the
actual extent of ouch assistance has
been Shielded as a military secret.
Locker-Lampson has pointed out
what he terms the Imminent peril
Of Finland's overthrow" and pro-
posed in the House of Commons that
his majesty's government "free q
substantial force (from the allied
armies) for instant service In Fin
land"
He introduced q resolution along
that line Monday, calling for the
ALLEGATION of a day to debate on 1t.
Whether the request for debate
would be granted was . question.
Locker-Lampson is Conservative