Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-11

SAtSWuSo Ntp "VeSU INV 'eStOVs
their own theological civil war be.
tween the Whites and the Reds,
an internecine conflict compa-
rably as costly and bitter as the
American Civil War. With the
help of German troops the Whites
under Gen. Mannerheim won over
the Reds and their Russian
friends. Western capitalism" or
democracy prevailed but not until
the SovietS attacked Finland in
1899 was the bitterness dispelled
and q semblance of national unity
achieved.
OF the four Baltic republics
that we're born out of World War
three have disappeared from the
map. perhaps permanently. Fin
land alone remains, and her days
may be numbered. Whether the
years of pseudo-freedom she now
enjoys are to be counted in digits
or decades depends on factors
that are, at present, outside Of
Finland's control.
Acutely aware, after two cou-
rageouSly reckless clashes with
their powerful neighbor (the
USSR is so times greater in
population and war potentiaD, the
Firms know that they must dance
when Moscow flddles. even though
the dance be dreary. Their for
eign, and to a certain extent their
domestic, policies must take into
consideration the Kremlin's pos
sible reactions. Finnish leaders
and the press lean over backward
to avoid any statement or story
that might irritate the Russians.
Voluntary Censorship
The press censorship is volun-
tary, both in news columns and
editorially, although criticism Of
the Soviets by such men as Essen.
hover, Dulles. Adenauer, Mac
milan and other NATO leaders
may be published "in quotes"
Even the Budapest and Warsaw
uprisings were reported dispas-
sionately. Editors consistently do
not comment on developments in
Soviet internal affairs.
What was for 20 years prior to
1910 known as the "Mannerheim
Line" "a heavily fortified defense
similar to the Hindenburg and
Maginot Lines has been changed
to the political "Paasikivi Line"
(the policy of friendship with
Russia first, last and all the
time). This program was pro-
mulgated largely by the late Pres
ident Julio Paasikivi. one-time
banker and conservative. who was
twice called upon to extricate
Finland from the clutches of the
Russian bear after the military
defeats Of l939-40 and 1914. A
friend Of Stain, Madam Kollen-
tai. and other Old Bolsheviks, de-
spite his economic beliefs. Mr..
Paasikivi more than any other
Finn Is responsible for his coun-
try's continued existence. The
"Paasikivi Line" has the unani-
nous support Of all parties in
Parliament today, although indi-
vidual politicos may differ pri-
vately as to the enthusiasm with
which it should be followed.
Tied by Treoty
Naturally Finland would prefer
to be completely free-and neutral
like Sweden. But since she is
pledged by her 1855 treaty of
friendship and mutual aid to
throw In her lot with the USSR If
that country is attacked through
Finland by Germany and Tor Ger
many's allies" Finland will UNI
questionably honor her word for
the next eighteen years. She also
hopes that Sweden can always re-
main neutral. Any obvious move
on Stockholm's part to join NATO
or play with the Western powers
militarily would, in the view of the
Firms, give Russia a real or mag
mary pretext to extend her &C
tual military defenses to the Gulf
Of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea.
And, having gotten Russian troops
out Of the Porkkala enclave and
with no Soviet bases" on Finnish
soil as in Poland, Eastern Ger