Evening star., 1941-11-12

vi lIle lIlIllSu lTOHlleT OF WHICH
six have been discovered up to the
present as well as a new highway
constructed solely for offensive pur-
pose and numerous airf1eldS reveal
beyond doubt the aggressive plans
of the Soviet Union and the unten-
able strategic position in which Fin
land has been placed by these prep
arations.
In an effective defense Finland's
right. which no one can deny. is
possible to Finland only by trans
ferring her defense into these very
areas and in this respect no distinc-
ton can be made between the areas
ceded under the terms of the Mos
COW peace and other areas now
occupied by Finland.
(Then follows a long descrip-
tion of the miserable state of
affairs including the desecration
of churches and graveyards, the
population living in bottomless
misery ravaged by murder and
mass deportations revealing to
what pitiable state the Finnish
people would have been con-
demned under Soviet rule.'D
Neutral Appeals to Russia
Failed to Halt Attack.
Section 2 of the note concerns
the ethnographic character of
East Kdrelid:
80 During the military phase Of
1939-40 proposals for the mediation
of peace made by the United States
did not any more than those from
other neutral forces prevent the
Soviet Union from pursuing her
attack in Finland.
The Soviet Union replied to these
proposals that she had already con-
cluded a treaty of assistance and
friendship with government al
legged to represent Finland, the pup
pet government which the Soviet
Union had itself appointed, in which
| connection the areas settled by the
Firms beyond the 1899 frontier
areas which Finnish troops are now
occupying were amalgamated as
being Finnish with Finland.
The population of Finnish areas
beyond the frontiers of 1899, now
occupied by Finnish troops, areas
which have been under Bolshevik
administration for % years, has
been and is by far for the most
part Finnish. Depending on the
historical circumstances, part Of the
Finnish nation has been left to live
outside the frontiers of Finland and
the areas in question belong to the
dwelling areas of just this part Of
the nation. In connection with the
peace of Tartu in 1920, the Soviet
government promised to guarantee
this Finnish population considerably
wide rights of national self
determination, which promises she
has meanwhile left unfunilled.
To what pitiable state the meas
mes recommended by the Govern.
ment of the United States would re-
duce the civilian population that
has remained behind in these areas
the history of the Bolshevik regime
provides frightful examples. This
consideration, too, supports the views
that there is cause to keep these
areas in question occupied by
Finnish troops in order that free
dom and security can be guaranteed
to the population. Taking into ac-
count the national composition Of
the population of these areas this
would be in conformity with the
principles enunciated in a declara-
ton given by the President Of the
United States and the Prime Min
lister of Great Britain on the At
lantic Ocean August IA, 1941.
View Of U. S. on Guarantee
For Finland Held Unclear.
Section 3, regarding the CONFER
Sdtion bet1Deen Sumner WelleS
UNITED States Undersecretdry of
Stdte) and the Finnish Minister
at Washington (Hjaln,ar Pro-
cope)::
The Government of the United
States has intimated that it must
hold Finland responsible for not
even having attempted to explore
the possibilities Of peace held out
by the information given Mr.. Sum-
ner Welles August 18, 1941, to the
Finnish Minister in Washington.
MIR. Welles stated in the
conversation that took place be-
tween him and Mr.. Procope on the
said date that he had been asked to
convey to the knowledge Of the Fin
nish government that "the Soviet
government would be disposed to
make territorial concessions and ne
gotiate q new peace treaty" When
Mr.. Procope asked whether the So
Wet government had requested the
Government Of the United States to
transmit this information the an
swer was negative from Mr.. Welles,
who amended his statement as fol-
lows:
"I know that the Soviet govern
ment would be disposed to discuss
new peace treaty with Finland In
which territorial concessions would
be made" He added that his state
ment was not q recommendation
on the part Of the United States but
to Mr.. Procope's question As to what
territorial concessions might posi-
bly, be intended Mr.. Welles was
unable to reply. The view Of the
Government of the United States as
to what guarantee would exist that
the Soviet Union would not again
attack Finland remains equally un-
clear.
Mr.. Welles stated, however, in this
connection that at the end Of the
war the Soviet Union would b the
preponderant power In Eastern Eu.