November 29, 1939: FINLAND FEARS ATTACK:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1939:

Broken Pact Reply Is

Carried Back to
Moscow
SITUATION T E N S E

Anything Is Possible,

Declare Helsingfors
Statesmen

By LYNN HE1NZERLING
HELSINGFORS, Nov. 29—(AP) — Finland today sent Soviet Russia a soberly considered reply to Russia's denunciation of the Soviet-Finnish non - aggression pact, which accompanied g r a v e frontier tension between the two powers. Officials declined to comment on the Finnish reply's nature or tone pending delivery to the Kremlin. Government leaders conferred most of the day on the note. A draft of the answer to the Russian charge of "profound hostility of the government of Finland towards the Soviet union," which Moscow cited as grounds Tuesday night for denunciation of the Finnish-Russian non-aggression pact, was completed about midnight. Contents of the note remained a secret pending transmission and any last-minute changes.
We Are Not Afraid'
While the cabinet conferred in the partly blacked-out capital, phlegmatic Finns, questioned on the street as to their hopes and fears, would say little except,
"we are not afraid".

 

FINLAND FEARS

ISLAND ATTACK

Gulf Holdings to Be First

Seized, Helsingfors
Predicts

HELSINGFORS, Nov. 29—(UP)—Finns believed today Russia might start an invasion of their country by seizing four unfortified islands in the Gulf of Finland.

These islands—Hoagland, Lavansaari, Tycarsari and Seiskari—had been included in Russia's territorial demands. They are defenseless and the Soviet fleet is known to have been active in their vicinity lately. What Finland would do if they were seized was only a guess but people in the street reflect the idea Finland would fight to resist aggression.

 

 

NEW POWDER KEG . . . Russian-Finnish relations strained anew

today with Moscow charging, and Helsingfors denying reports of

another border incident near Leningrad (in map above). Russia was

strengthening her Baltic fleet and Finland refused to withdraw her

frontier troops unless the Soviet followed suit. Finns believe Russia

will first attack Gulf of Finland sea islands

 

Soviets Reinforcing

Baltic Fleet As
Crisis Near

WAR INEVITABLE'

Ultimatum Expected
To Give 18 Hours
To Capitulate

MOSCOW, Nov. 29—(AP)—Soviet Russia today broke off diplomatic relations with, Finland. The break in relations came just as the Soviet people were instructed to listen to their radios for an important announcement by Premier Viacheslav Molotov.

Vladimir Potemkin of the Soviet foreign office handed a note to the Finnish minister explaining the reasons for breaking off relations.

The Finnish minister had not had an opportunity to deliver a reply by the Finnish government to the Soviet note sent to Finland yesterday, demanding that Finnish, troops retire from the frontier north of Leningrad—which Russians alleged was "threatened" with attack by the Finnish army.

Baron Airjo-Koskinen, the Finnish minister, was advised of the Soviet action just one day after the Soviets had denounced their non-aggression pact with Finland and almost at the same time the United States was offering- its good offices to settle peacefully the dispute.

SOVIETS CLAMOR
FOR WAR ACTION

Demands Growing, British Report After Hearing Broadcast

LONDON, Nov. 29. (UP)— The Moscow radio was heard today broadcasting that "the Soviet people are demanding action against Finland and this demand is growing every minute".
The broadcaster denounced the Finns in abusive terms and announced Soviet workers had passed resolutions demanding "punishment of the Finns who have lost their senses".
The broadcaster said resolutions were pouring in from factories and troop garrisons ridiculing the Finnish suggestion for a mutual withdrawal from the frontiers.