Evening star., 1943-02-25
What Next for Finland?

UnderSecretary of State Sumner
Welles' statement regarding Finland
Sharpens current speculation as to
that country's attitude and policy.
Asked at his press conference wheth-
er he thought the time was ap-
preaching when Finland should dis
associate herself from Germany's
war against Russia" Mr. Welles an
Swered that, with a background Of
friendship and understanding be-
to be hoped that Finland would no
longer continue the policy of giving
effective military aid" to the mortal
enemies of the United States, the
United Nations, and the kind of
democracy and human liberty which
the people of Finland themselves
have believed in and stood for.
1t is one of the most poignant
tragedies of this war that a demo-
cratic, libertyloving people like the
Firms should be ranged on the side of
the Axis. 1t is equally certain that
the overwhelming majority of the
Finnish people would be glad to get
out of the war provided they could
be assured of independence and Sc
curity. Unfortunately, merely stat
ing those obvious facts does little to
solve problem of great complexity
The antagonism between Finland
and Russia goes back for centuries,
and the Firms believe that their
national existence is menaced by
what they deem Russian aggression.
That is why the Firms associated
themselves with the Axis to recover
territories forcibly ceded after the
war with Russia three years ago
which, in their opinion, left them
defenseless against subsequent Rus
sian demands for further subjuga-
ton.
The Finnish contention is that
they have been fighting a separate
war, and that since they recovered
their former frontiers they have
been on the defensive. Technically
speaking, this seems to be substan-
TALLY true. But Finland has allowed
itself to become the base of opera
tions for German units against the
Russian port of Murmansk in the
Arctic, and an estimated total of
100000 German troops are said to be
luartered in Finland. This, together
with dependence on Germany for
grain and other food supplies makes
it difficult for any Finnish govern
ment to break with the Axis, even II
1t so desired.
The wording of Mr.. Welles' state
ment is directed specifically at Fin
lands giving effective military aid"
to the Axis. This might be construed
as meaning that our Government
would be satisfied if Finland should
resume its neutrality But it is diff
cult to see how Finland could take
the risks of a break with the Axis
unless she had come to some under
standing with Russia. And there is
no evidence that Moscow has init
mated willingness to discuss a
settlement on any terms that the
Firms deem tolerable.
Indeed, the latest Russian declara-
tions are discouraging on this sub
ject Stalin's recent order of the
day to the Red Army lists Karelia as
one of the territories TO be recovered
by force of arms. This is the terri
tory north of Leningrad, and includ-
ing the Finnish city Of Viipuri wi
borg taken by the Russians in their
first war with Finland and retaken
by the Firms. The Moscow official
radio was bitterly hostile to the re-
election of President RiSto Ryti. Al
though here and in Britain, Finland's
President is regarded as a moderate,
Moscow brands him as a Fascist tool
and a chauviniSt, who favorS plans
for an aggressive war to annex not
only Soviet Karelia" including Len
lngrad Dut also SOVIET territory al
most up to the Ural Mountains. Such
allegations, broadcast to the Russian
people over the official radio station,
do not indicate conciliatory atti-
tude toward Finland Gloomy though
Finland's position is from a long
range viewpoint its military situa-
ic l.
likely to surrender unconditionally.
The prospects of Finland's quitting
the war thus seem unlikely in the
immediate future.