Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-03
j. 5. Press and Radio
Twisted Jap Party
Facts, Films Charge
Film Did Not Inspire
Political Outburst,
Party Paper Asserts
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
HELSINKI, Finland, Jan. O.
The newspaper Helsingin Sano-
mat OF the National Progressive
party accused the United States
press and radio tonight of mis-
representing what took place
when the japanese here showed
members Of the Finnish govern
ment their movies of the attack
on Pearl Harbor.
The newspaper declared the
American press and radio had
given the wrong picture of the
affair.
ALLEGATIONS that the film in
spired any political demonstration
from the guests are altogether I'M
true" it asserted Applause con-
nected with customary politeness
can not be interpreted as a politi-
cal demonstration any more than
thanks extended to the hosts for
the invitation"
Rela tons between Finland and
the United States have become
somewhat strained and the Incl
dent Of the Japanese film gave
strength to agitation to some quar-
tiers in the United States for a COM
plete break with Finland.
On December II, the Office of
War Information broadcast to Fin
land a report that Finnish cabinet
ministers. including Prime Minister
Jukha Rangell, member Of the
Progressive Party, had attended a
Japanese Legation party in Helsinki
on the anniversary of Japan's Pearl
Harbor attack and had congratu-
lated the japanese.
The first report of the party was
published on December % in The
Evening Star under the by-line of
Constantine Brown.
Acknowledge Showing.
The Finnish Legation here then
acknowledged that the movies were
shown in the course Of tea party
at the Japanese Legation" asserted
that the guests did not know be-
forehand about the program and
said that "the government of Fin
land has, furthermore, no knowl-
edge about alleged congratulations
addressed by any of it's members to
the japanese Minister
Only last Wednesday the Firms
complied with State Department
order closing the Finnish informa-
ton Offices in this country and the
American Legation in Helsinki
ceased efforts to distribute informa-
ton in Finland.
Before the japanese film incident
was reported the American Minis
ter to Finland, Arthur Schoenfeld,
had been recalled to Washington
for consultation"
Significant Shift.
In view of the deterioration of
relations between the United States
and Finland and of the German
shift in ambassadors in Sweden,
reported from London yesterday,
report that Per Albin Hanson,
Prime Minister of Sweden and head
Of the Swedish Social Democratic
Party, had taken the unusual step
Of sending New Year greetings
directly to the Social Democratic
Party OF Finland was viewed as
perhaps significant.
The head of one government Gus
tomarily addresses communications
to the head of another government
rather than to a political party so
the fact that Mr.. Hanson was said
to have sent his fluctuations to
the Finnish Party, the largest in
Finland, gave emphasis to his
greeting.
Text of Message.
The American Swedish News Ex-
change. Inc, in New York issued
the following text of the message it
said Mr.. Hanson sent:
The Social Democratic party in
Sweden rejoices over the faithful
and hearty cooperation between the
Social Democratic parties of Swe-
den and Finland during the past
year.
This cooperation we regard as
an important stage in our efforts to
maintain affinity and mutual under
standing between our peoples. This
also facilitates our endeavor to
maintain the northern idea chat is,
solidarity among peoples of the
northern, Scandinavian countries)
regardless Of todays chaos and dis
eension
AT the New Year we wish to
thank our party comrades in Fin
land for their loyal cooperation
during the last year. At the same
time We expressed the hope that our
brother organization in Finland
will be able to maintain its position
also in the year to come. In this
hope for the future, it goes without
saying, we include the expectation
that our parties will continue to
work hand in hand in the same
spirit Of confidence and cordially
as heretofore"