Evening star., 1941-01-10
FinIund's S Plea

Cdll rttu SIOSS lOr llle SlllpIlellG Ol
relief supplies to unoccupied France
and to Spain, Finnish Minister
Hjalmar J. Procope has come for
ward with an urgent and moving
appeal in behalf of his own stricken
people, who are still suffering from
the effects of the Russian invasion
of year ago and are now face to
face with threats of starvation,
exposure and pestilence. Minister
Procope'S diplomatic reminder of
Finland's desperate plight is timely,
indeed, in view of the special atten-
ton being paid to suffering war
victims in other parts of Europe.
America can i'll afford to forget, even
temporarily, the tragedy of Finland.
Only a year ago Americans were
thrilled by the heroic exploits of
Whlte-clad Finnish soldiers against
the powerful Soviet war machine.
Finland fell, losing eleven per cent
of her territory, but retaining her
independence, her democratic inSti-
tutions and her pride. But she had
suffered grieVouS wounds. More than
100000 of her thrifty people had
been rendered homeless and utterly
destitute, her industries had been
crippled, many of her towns had
been devastated, her national re-
sources had been drastically depleted.
1t was peace of the grimmest sort
that came to the Baltic republic
last year.
Cataclysmic developments further
south began to claim the worlds
interest, and Finlands travail was
generally forgotten outside her bor-
ders in the ensuing months. The
Finnish government gratefully made
use of the $30,000,000 non-military
relief fund which the United States
had made available. The Red Cross
sent limited supplies of food,
clothing, medicine. But as the mag
nitude Of Finland's relief problem
has become evident, the need for
additional aid has grown imperative.
COmpliCating the situation is the
British blockade, through which re-
lief shipments have been allowed to
pass only after protracted navicert
negotiations. The British have had
fears that some of the supplies might
find their way into German hands;
for, under pressure from the Nazis,
Finland had been forced to permit
unarmed German troops to pass
through her territory, en- route home
from Norway. Today the British
Embassy clarified Britain's position
regarding relief for Finland. The
British authorities, it was stated, are
anxious to do everything they can
do to ease the difficulties of Finland
at this time" while making certain
that supplies allowed to reach Fin
land in no way benefit Germany"
1t was explained that although the
passage of German troops through
Finnish territory had raised a ques-
ton in British minds as to Finland's
independence and neutrality, it has
been decided to permit further ship
ments through the blockade, pro-
vided Finland "refrains from any
further unneutral act" 1t is difficult
to imagine how moderate shipments,
under Red Cross supervision, of food,
clothing and medical supplies needed
by the Firms could benefit Ger
many" Finland is still free and
independent, with no German troops
garriSoned within her borders.
The Red Cross so far has consigned
to Finland approximately $S0O,Oo0
worth of food, clothing and surgical
supplies bought with its own funds
and about $1,O00,0OO worth of food
paid for out of the S5O,OOO,OOO war
refugee fund, voted by the past Con-
greSs. More than half of this fund
remains unexpended, after alloca-
tionS to Great Britain, China and
Greece. Millions thus are available
with which to respond to Minister
Procope'S plea for such surplus COM
moditieS as lard and other fats,
wheat, flour and cotton and for such
additional items as cloth, clothing
and medicine. Finlands case needs
no argument. Americas duty is
plain. We should act quickly to
extend additional aid-to the limit
of shipping facilities and Finland'S
urgent needs.
And if unconfirmed rumors from
abroad are found to have any sub
stance-rumors of an impending sec
ond invasion of Finland by Russia
within the next few months
lea should not confine her aid to
non-military objectiveS. President
Roosevelt has said it is our policy to
support "all those resolute peoples,
everywhere, who are resisting ag-
gression" Such being the case, Fin
land, who so stanchly resisted
aggression under overwhelming odds
last winter and who, weakened
though she is, may be expected to
resist again when danger threatens,
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