Dec 11, 1939; LEAGUE OF NATIONS ASK RUSSIA TO ACCEPT MEDIATION:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, DECEMBER 11, 1939:

 

24 Hour Deadline Set

For Reply to Bid
For Arbitration
SEE 50-50 CHANCE

Briton Warns Against

Illusions As Request
Wired to Moscow

GENEVA, Dec. 11—(AP)-The League of Nations assembly today asked Soviet Russia to accept league mediation in the Russian-Finnish conflict. It requested a reply within 24 hours.

The request was telegraphed to Moscow following an appeal from Finland's delegate, Rudolf Holsti. for "all practical support possible" against Russia.

A committee considering the Finnish appeal unanimously adopted a proposal by Sweden that Russia be asked to accept mediation.
British undersecretary for foreign affairs, R. A. Butler said the time limit of 24 hours should be set for reply.
"We must have no illusions of the outcome," Butler told the committee which continued its work in belief that Russia would refuse.
A Soviet spokesman at Geneva said, however, that there was a 50-50 chance Moscow would accept.

Tommies See Action

On West Front for
First Time
WARSHIP IS LOST
Two Neutral Craft Are
Also Reported
Victims

LONDON, Dec. 11— (AP)— Great Britain today counted the loss of a mine sweeper and five merchant ships while British troops for the first time in the 100-day-old war were reported in action on the western front. The total shipping losses were more than 27,193 tons.

The minesweeper Ray of Hope struck a mine and sank, officials said. She was the fifth mine sweeper lost since the war started. Four of the Ray of Hope's crew were killed, five were missing and three were rescued.
Crew Reported Safe
The 4,815-ton British steamer Willowpool also sank after hitting a mine. Her crew of 36 were saved. Four other merchant ships, an official announcement said, were long overdue and must be considered lost. They were the Ashlea, 4,222 tons; Newton Beech, 4,651 tons; Trevanion, 5,299 tons; and Huntsman, 8,196 tons.

RUSSIA WARNS

LONDON AGAINST
NAZI BLOCKADE
Protest Made As Soviets
Continue Drive On
Finn Shipping

MOSCOW, Dec. 11—(AP)— Soviet Russia, herself blockading Finland, protested today against Great Britain's attempt to strangle Germany by cutting off her exports. Contending that Britain's action wag "without precedent in history," the Soviet note as represented in a Moscow broadcast said Russia would reserve the right to demand compensation for losses.

On the military front, the Russian army reported troops had penetrated 35 miles into northern Finland to the town of Kuolajarvi. The advance on all fronts was reported from three to five miles.

The broadcast announcing the protest against the blockade said the government considered Britain's action as a "completely arbitrary act." The note was said to have been drawn up along the lines of the United States protest to Britain but was described as "much stronger."

Red army troops on the Finnish front were reported in a communique to have "advanced in all directions five to seven kilometers." (3 1/8 to 4 3/8 miles.)

FINNS REPULSE

RUSS ATTACKS
By WEBB 3ITLLER
HELSINKI, Finland, Dec. 11.—(UP)—Finland, awaiting the outcome of its appeal to the League of Nations for support against Russia, and a broadcast appeal to the civilized world for aid, held back attacking Russian forces in the Karelian isthmus today for the fifth successive day. Reports said the Russians continued to attack vigorously on the Taibela river, the outlet of the Vuoksi lake chain to Lake Ladoga. This lake runs through the Mantrerhehn" defense line. It was apparent the Russians sought to advance northwestward along the south side of the lake system, and thus cut into the heart of southern Finland. It was reported the Russians now were about 25 miles inside Finland on the eastern side of the isthmus, as they had been for days.

An official spokesman said more than 100 Russians were wounded in a fight north of Lake Ladoga. Four surrendered, the spokesman said.