Evening star., 1941-10-07

Foreisn Correspondent OF The Star and
Chicago Daily News.
LONDON, Oct. Tn note
Helsinki yesterday for dispatch to
London, the Finnish government
has, in effect, refused to lay down
its arms and to make peace with
Russia on the basis of the old 1899
boundaries.
The note is in reply to the British
note delivered September % IN
which London warned the Firms
that their continued participation
In the war after regaining their
old frontiers would be regarded as
an unfriendly act and would cause
Britain to regard Finland as an
allv of the Axis not only during
the period of hostilities but at the
peace table. In their note the
British also suggested that they
would endeavor to re-establlsh
friendly relations with Finland II
the latter country would agree to
cease hostilities Immediately.
Finland's reply is largely rehash
of the white paper which was pub
lished shortly after Finland Joined
Germany in her attack on the SOVIET
Union. The Firms protest once
more that their attack was de
fensive measure" and that their oc-
cupation of Soviet territory at the
present time is necessary to prevent
the Russians from using that terri
tory as a base for attacks on Fin
land The theory seems to be that
Russia, which is now an ally of
Britain and which is fighting for
her life all along the frontier. is still
planning aggressive action against
her smaller neighbors.
Hope for Peaceful Relations.
In conclusion. the Firms state
that they are in the war without
political obligations" but that they
are grateful not to be alone" While
refusing to make peace with Brit
aims ally, they express the wishful
hope that they may maintain peace
full relations with Britain.
The Firms also have replied to the
Norwegian note in which the Nor
weglans warned them that Finland
claim to place in the Scandinavian
family of nations was being seriously
jeopardized by Finland'S fighting al
lance with NorWay's enemy. Here
again the Firms adopted the line
that they were very sorry but that
they would have to go on fighting
and trusted that Norway would take
a friendly view
While the British have adopted a
ienient attitude toward Finland be-
cause of the admitted fact that she
was fighting at the beginning of the
war for recovery of her own terri
tory, that attitude is now bound to
undergo a change. The Firms, it is
felt here, are now fighting on Rus
sian territory simply because the
Germans have ordered them to do
so and despite the overwhelming
desire of the population to call off
the war. Simple loyalty to Russia.
which is now bearing the brunt of
the war against Nazi Germany. must
prevent Britain from making any
special deal with the Firms once
they have carried the war onto
Russian territory.
CavaIierish Attitude.
Relying on the world sympathy
they won during the so-called
winter war" with Russia, the Films
have maintained a Cavalierish at
titude toward the British since the
beginning of the present campaign.
Recently, while the British were
still awaiting a reply to their note
of September %. the Firms began to
boast openly of the fact that the
United States had not joined Britain
and Norway in asking them to with
stated, incorrectly, that the United
States had refused to act as an
agent in delivering the British note
to HelSinki. They continue to make
It plain that they feel able to deal
with the British in an offhand man.
ner because the American Govern
ment has maintained such a con-
spicuous silence about the whole
business.
While the refusal of the Amer
lean Government to talk turkey to
the Firms apparently is inspired by
popular sympathy and admiration
for the Finnish people, it has placed
the United States in a remarkably
equivocal position. While the Gov
eminent itself maintains formally
cordial relations with HelSinki it
has simultaneously agreed to supply
Russia with American guns. tanks
and planes, which may easily have to
be used by the Russians in prevent
ing the Firms from capturing Muir
mansk and positions on the ap-
proaCheS to Leningrad
tCorvright, 1e41. Chicago Daily News Inc