Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1948-03-01

| Pdi IiSiPuSioii, Pohieii6 O~S SAe~~
Finland is not a satellite nation
even though technically behind the
iron curtain. The fundamentals of
the Marshall Plan coincide with
the Films earnest desire to help
themselves.
In addition, it has been pointed
out to the Russians that failure
on Finland's part to keep contacts
open with the western powers will
make it difficult, if not impossible,
for the Firms to fulfill their rep
arations obligations.
Trade Reviving
The Firms can also look back
on year in which, in addition
to paying the regular installment
on their old debt to the United
States, they have somehow man.
aged to bring their free export
trade with Great Britain and the
United States up to SO per cent of
it's prewar level,
The Firms had to give up 40
per cent of their shipping to Rus
STA under the peace terms but
their merchant fleet is now near
ing it's previous tonnage, partly
through the purchase of Liberty
ships.
The lack of manpower, electric
power, and raw materials, with a
poor harvest into the bargain,
make this record all the more re-
markable, but the Firms do not
boast of their accomplishments.
Their sole aim is to maintain the
good repute they have gained for
themselves abroad, thereby ensur-
ing and Strengthening their eco
nomic and political independence.
Grim Background
Finland has a grim background
of war, hunger and devastation, as
victory seldom fell on its side.
Because Finland was joined with
Sweden for more than 600 years,
the Swedish language and laws re-
NAMED for a long time those OF
the Finnish governing classes, and
there is still a Swedish-speaking
Finnish minority of about 100000
which supports its own political
party and Swedish-language news
papers.
Living in the shadow of Russia
as they do, the Firms have few
illusions as to their chances OF
winning a war against the Rus
slams but they have never stopped
trying.
Resistance Recalled
During the 18th Century, the
battle ragged until Finland was
practically torn to shreds between
Sweden and Russia, falling to the
Russians in 1909. Fin Ian was
granted national autonomy, how
ever, and during the years that
followed, a new national spirit de-
veloped.
AS the Russian pressure became
more severe, the Firms bitter pas
siye resistance broke out in the
general strike of 1905. The Films
won their independence with the
Russian revolution. but their civil
war and World War l which fol-
lowed meant years of bitter hard
ship which took every ounce of
sisu (stamina) they possessed.
The country had scarcely got
on its feet as a modern nation
when the Russians attacked twice
more-on Nov. 80, 1889, and again
on June %, 1941.
AS is the case with most small
countries today, the people have
been forced to recognize that dip
I1omacy is the better part of patri-
otism.
Casualties Large
Very few bombs fell on Helsinki,
the Firms explain, because their
antiaircraft fire was too much for
the Russian bombers. But the
scars of war, though no longer
apparent on the surface, go deep.
Finland's 100000 war casualties
are as large in proportion to the
countrys population as 100000
would be in the United States, and
the Finnish territory ceded to Rus
STA is as severe a loss as would be