Evening star., 1940-03-09
Expeditionary Force
For Finland Seen
By French Press
Opinion Hordens Against
scandinavian NeutruIs;
WeIIes Sees Reynoud
BY the. Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
PARIS, March 9.-The French
cabinet thoroughly explored today
the latest developments in the Fin
nish-Russian war as the controlled
press predicted the allies willing
ness to intervene with an expedi-
tionary force, if Finland gives the
word.
Premier Daladier and his ministers
were closeted for two and a half
hours with President Albert Lebrun.
and communique-avoiding details
of the deliberations-said only that
the Premier in reporting on the in
ternational situation was particular
ly emphatic in regard to Finnish de-
velopments.
The communicates mention of the
Importance attached to the Finnish
question, however, bore out state
ments yesterday that Great Britain
and France are considering expand
ing means of aiding the, Firms.
Attitude Toward Neutrals Hardens.
That an expeditionary force is be-
ing considered despite rumors of
peace negotiations between Russia
and Finland was indicated in the
press with noticeable hardening of
French opinion toward the Scan
dinavian neutrals, striving to avoid
involvement in the northern war.
Meanwhile, Frances finance min
lister, Paul Reynaud, hurried from
the cabinet meeting to have lunch
con with Sumner Welles, United
States Undersecretary of State, who
was winding up his fact-finding
stay in Paris.
Mr.. Welles conferred for nearly
two hours with M. Reynaud at the
finance ministry getting informa-
ton on the economic and financial
phases of the French war machinery.
The Undersecretary left to keep
appointments with leaders of the
Polish government, in exile, to get
their picture of conditions in Poland.
Expeditionary Forse Seen.
Former Premier Leon Blum, writ
ing in his Socialist lie Populaire,
said there was reason to believe
that France and Britain-if formal
ly asked by Finland-would trans
port an expeditionary force without
submitting their decision to the
express consent of Norway or
Sweden"
France and Britain have stated
officially they will let the Films
decide for themselves whether to
resist or capitulate before the Rus
sian juggernaut, but their encour-
agement of the Finnish defense is
undisguised Already, the allies
have dispatched 400 warplanes,
nearly 1000 cannon and lesser arms
to the embattled northern govern
ment.
Reynaud Marshals Data.
M. Reynaud, diminutive minister
who is directing the gigantic French
economic war against Nazi Ger
many, had marshaled for Mr.. Welles
the facts and figures on his behind
the-front campaign.
NJ Reynaud's conference with
President Roosevelt's investigator of
Europe-at-war, an opportunity to
study blueprints designed to show
the invulnerability of the French
domestic position, followed the cabi-
net meeting called by Premier
Daladier to review the diplomatic
and military situation,
Presumably, this coincidence
would enable the finance minister to
acquaint Mr.. Welles with the latest
French views on Swedish mediation
in the Russian-Finnish war.
M. Reynaud's latest public pro-
nouncement was his radio address
to the nation February 20, declar-
ing that the nations financial
structure was sound, but announc-
ing revaluation of the gold supply
on a basis of current foreign ex-
change and sharp restrictions on
food consumption.
Schedule Light Today.
Compared with yesterday, when
MIR. Welles had q swift succession
of interviews with French political
leaders, his calendar of .confiden-
tial fact-finding was light.
After an informal luncheon at
the finance ministry, Mr.. 'Welles had
an appointment at the Polish En-
bassy to hear report from Gen.
Wladyslaw Sikorski, Premier OF the
emigre Polish government, on the
situation in German and Russian
occupied Poland.
August Zaleski, Polish foreign
minister, was to assist in drawing