Evening star., 1941-12-07
Finn President Warns
Britain and i. :. Of
Soviet Friendship
Ryti Tells Of Capture
Of Important Station
On Murmunsk RuiIrood
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
HELSINKI, Dec. 6. - President
Risto Ryti broke to the Firms on
their independence day today the
melancholy news that Britain had
decided to declare war on Finland,
but he softened the shock by re-
porting a great victory over the Rus
slams.
In a broadcast on the oath ami
verSary of the declaration of Fin
rish independence, Ryti warned
Britain and the United States that
Russias friendship is "a leper's
handclasp and even a slight wound
in our hands may result in a mortal
infection"
Speaking as commander in chief
Of Finnish armed forces. the Presi-
dent said Finnish troops had cap
tured Karhumaeki, an important
station on the Murmansk railroad
north of Lake Omega. thereby catch
ing nine Soviet regiments in a trap.
Mannerheim Gives Cheer.
flelO bdTOll NIuSUaV
Mannerheim also cheered his coun-
trymen with a special order of the
day in which he asserted that the
hardest part of Finland's Army's
lob was over and the goal of final
security for our country's independ-
ence" near.
Comparing the situation with con-
-, no tr+irt nf
when the Firms were fighting Rus
sia alone, Mannerheim said:
"On this independence day our
army can look back on a defensive
war which has lasted over five
months and has led from victory
to victory"
Speaking in a deep, calm voice,
Ryti told the Firms that nothing
has shaken our confidence in the
successful outcome of this strug-
gle
Called "Incomprehensible."
Ryti said that although the Soviet
Army's might had given Britain
welcome relief in the war with Ger
many it was still 'incomprehensible
that Britain at the Soviet's demand
came to threaten us with war and
the loss of the United States of
Americas friendship If we do not
leave our defensive war halfway
with fixed detectives unachieved"
I'VE have neither the ability nor
the wish to threaten Britain or the
United States of America" Ryti
said. but we cannot withdraw from
the struggle on behalf of the ideals
to save which Britain and the
Z. S. A. also say they are fighting.
In the name of the future of the
world and European civilization We
have cause ferventlv to hope that
friendship with the Soviet Union
will not cause Britain and the /.
U S. A. irreparable injury. For that |.
friendship is a leper,s handclasp and |
even a slight wound in our hands |
may result in mortal infection"
A telegram of independence day
congratulations from Adolf Hitler |.
said that the heroic defensive bat
tie which Finland is waging in loyal |
conradeship of arms with Germany
for attaining its final security will
be crowned with victory"
Text of Finlands Note.
The Finnish foreign Office an
nounced the text of the reply to
Britain's demand that Finland stop
her war against Russia.
The text follows:
THE Finnish minister for foreign |
affairs has the honor to request the
Minister of the United States to !
transmit his Britannia maiestys /
government the following communi-
cation from the Finnish govern
ment:
The Finnish government has re-
ceived November %. 194l. through
the Minister of the United States
in Helsnki a communication to the
effect that unless by December ),
the Finnish government cease mill
tary operations and withdraw from
all active participation in hostilities
his Britannia majestys government
Will have no choice but to declare
the existence of a state of war be-
tween the two countries.
In reply to the previous commun-
ication of the British government
received August %, the Finnish
government showed that Finland's
military operations are defensive
warfare dictated by vital consider
alton Of her own relating to her
existence and security. With refer
ence to this definition of their atti-
tude and to the memorandum they
handed the Government of the .
United States November II. with ,
which the British government is
doubtless acquainted, the Finnish
government repeat their statement
that the struggle Finland is waging
has no other aim than safeguarding
the existence and security of the
Finnish nation which have been
threatened with total destruction.
The Finnish people possess a
sense Of reality and are aware of
their limitations and do not strive
any further in their pursuit of the