Evening star., 1941-11-14
Says Finland Fights
Only in SeIf-Defense
Writer Argues Promise Of
Protection Should Accompany
Request to Quit War
To he Editor of The Star:

NSSuCSl ~ <uit WI
To he Editor Of The Star:
In your editorial, "Finlands Problem"
referring to the demands made by Mr.
Hull on Finland, you quite correctly con-
slider the dilemma Finland is in You
point to some of the problems Finland
faces, but you fail to emphasize the fact
that Finland has rights, moral and legal,
which England and the United States
should respect.
Just because Finland's unavoidable po-
sition is not favorable to the British and
our cause, there is no Justification for
the British and the United States TO
make aggressive war on Finland. Fin
land is not attacking the British or the
United States. Finland is defending
herself against the bloodiest, most ruth
less despot in the world. We have time
and time again condemned Stains and
Hitler's aggression and their destruction
of small nations. l do not believe that
We should do that which we have en-
phatically condemned in others and the
results of which aggressions England and
we are fighting to cOrrect-the word
aggression has not changed its mean
ing. Or do not the four freedoms and
eight points apply TO Finland?
The demand made on Finland involves
our duty to regard the moral rights and
safety of Finland, the present and future.
We cannot simply say to Finland: IF
you do not accept and comply with our
demands, England will declare war on
you and we will regard our friendly rela-
tions at an end" II We make such omi-
nous and far-reaching demands on a
small. innocent helpless and friendly
nation, as we have made on Finland, the
demands, at least. should have accom-
panied a guarantee of protection from
the dire consequences which are sure
TO follow If the demands are complied
with. The guarantee should also have
included Finland's future safety.
Let us be reasonable and look at the
situation Finland is in. The record
shows that this war like the one two
years ago, between Russia and Finland.
was started and brought upon Finland
by Russia itself and it seems evident
that Finland cannot stop fighting Russia
until she has secured herself as well as
possible from future attacks by Russia,
whether that security comes from stra-
tegical territorial gain or as a guarantee
by competent powers-Stalin guaran-
tee. OF course would not be worth the
paper il was written on.
Let us also take into considera ton the
fact that if Finland attempts TO stop
fighting Russia, Germany Immediately
Will attack and occupy Finland. and FIN
land will be in the same position as Nor
way. Poland. Greece and the other con-
quered countries-in fact worse of. for
the Finnish territory would become the
actual theater Of war between the three
countries-with the consequent destruc-
ton of lives and property; and there is
nothing the British or the United States
could Go, or even have offered to do, to
help Flnland-England would again
merely be using other peoples territory
to fight her war against Germany.
1t seems that it would be deliberate
suicide for Finland to stop fighting
Russia, and Russia would be very little.
If any, better off, for the Germans would
step in and carry on the war in the terri
tory in question. We certainly could not
expect that Finland would stultify her
self by helping Russia. her ancient. most
cruel and dreaded enemy. Suppose we
were in Finland's position. what would
We 90? Don't We also. as well as the
British. do all We can to keep the war
away from our territory?
Finland is too weak, half starved bled
Cry, to stand the imposition of a third
war in two years (all without her fault
which would result as consequence of
pressing our demands. Whatever Fin
land will do referring to the demand we
have made, I do not think that this coun-
try wants to be guilty of causing a third
war for Finland.
l feel confident that there is nothing
Finland would rather do than to comply
with Mr.. Hull's demands, not only
because she wants to retain our friend
ship, but because Finland wants peace
Our demand on Finland, however, is not
an offer of peace: on the contrary, we
have proffered her a double edged sword.
The demand puts Finland on the spot
she is damned if she accepts, and damned
if she rejects.
1t is hoped that England and America
Will flnd way to deal with the Finnish
situation with more reasonable and
sympathetic consideration.
New York City. JOHN SAARI.