Evening star., 1941-09-16
Finlund's Peace Prospects

rlnl0n0 S fedCe fr0SpeCtS
Despite official denials that Fin
land contemplateS making separate
peace with Soviet Russia, equally
specific statements from govern
ment Spokesmen indicate that Fin
lands active participation in the war
may soon end. An official statement
was made in Helsinki that Finland
has good hopes of peace in the
nearest future" On the same day,
Mr.. Tanner, cabinet minister, cou-
pied denial of a separate peace
with an explanation that "the Firms
are no party to the great war. 1t is
for us an entirely defensive war.
Whatever is needed to secure our
frontiers must be done, but there our
task ends"
A detailed presentation of Fin
lands case against Russia is set forth
in white book just issued by the
Finnish government, giving docu-
mentary proof that Soviet Russia was
bent on destroying Finland's indie
pendence, had interfered in her in
ternal affairs, and finally had
attacked her without provocation as
soon as the Russo-German war broke
out. Sheer self preservation COM
PEELED Finland to take up arms in
conjunction with Germany, who was
regarded as an associate rather than
an theological ally.
Finland states officially that it has
no confidence in the present Stain
government of the Soviet Union,
which has broken all previous
agreements" according to Mr.. Tan
ner. The inference is that a peace
concluded with Russia's present
rulers would be worthless, even if it
were possible to conclude one at this
time. Theoretically, it might seem
equally difficult for Finland to get
German assent even to a cessation
of active hostilitieS, yet the very fact
that the Finnish government makes
such statements indicates some pre-
liminary understanding between
Helsinki and Berlin.
A survey of the present situation
yields certain reasons why Germany
might assent, even though reluct-
antly, to Finnish desires. The Finn
ish soldiers are specialized fighters,
pre-eminently useful for campaign
ing in lake and forest country. Most
of this work already has been done,
and the Finnish Army stands on or
slightly across the frontiers which
existed before RuSsiaS war of ag-
greSSion two years ago. Naturally,
the Germans would prefer to have
such excellent soldiers keep on fight
ing Fundamentally by their side.
But the Finnish Army. though high
in quality, is too small numerically to
count much in the titanic battles
which remain to be fought on the
Russian plains, and Finnish strength
already has been depleted by heavy
losses.
On balance, therefore, Germany
may not consider it worth while to
attempt to hold in line troops who
have no further incentive for fight
ing. Berlin, like Moscow, knows the
temper of this StalWart people, it's
diStaste for the Nazi theology, and
its aversion to bleed itself white in
a war which it has ceased to consider
its own. A friendly Finland, holding
the line on the extreme north, might
we'll be preferable to a coerced and
Sullen Finland, capable of making
trouble. The current unrest in Nor
way may reach such heights that a
British invasion of that German-held
country is not impossible, while Nazi
repression has aroused strong pro-
Norwegian sympathy in neutral
Sweden and in Finland itself. Ger
many must walk warily in it's han
ding of this potentially explosive
situation in the northlandS. From
the Reich's increasing difficulties,
Finland'S aStute leaders seem to be
epdeovOrinp to nrofit