December 28, 1939; SOVIET ARMYS FOOD SUPPLYS IN PERIL:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, DECEMBER 28, 1939:

Soviet Army's

Link to Food
Base Periled

By HAROLD PETERS

COPENHAGEN, Dec. 28.-(UP)—
Dispatches to Scandinavian newspapers today reported that Finnish soldiers had thrust into Russian territory and damaged the important Russian railroad running from Leningrad to Murmansk.

The dispatches said that the Finnish thrusts to the railroad had been confirmed but failed to state at what points the road—vital artery of Russian supplies to the Northern fighting fronts—had been damaged.

SUPPLIES HAMPERED
The correspondent of the Stockholm Aftonbladet reported from Helsinki that it had been confirmed that the damage done to the road was hampering seriously the delivery of Russian food supplies to the central and northern fronts.
There were reports in Helsinki, the correspondent said, of widespread hunger among Russians in the North as a result of interruption
of supplies and civilians were described as suffering the greatest hardships.

New Shocks, Blizzard Add to Horrors; Homeless Freez0

To Death in Sub-zero Weather; Fires Trap Many; 12
Cities Scores of Villages Raized; President Aids in Relief

ANKARA, Turkey, Dec. 28— (A.P.)—Officials announced today 42,000" persons  were killed or injured in the region of Erzincan alone in yesterday's Anatolian earthquake. New tremors shook Anatolia today, while a blizzard and fierce winds increased the suffering of hundreds of thousands of homeless. A heavy storm raged along the Black Sea coast, tearing ships loose from moorings and battering down seaside homes.

With the temperature 22 degrees below zero (Fahrenheit), many thousands of earthquake survivors who had led to fields were frozen to

death, according to sparse reports reaching Ankara officials. Erzincan is a village, or province, in the extreme east of Turkey, on the Armenian border.

157,344 POPULATION
(The Statesmen's Year Book gave Srzincan's 1935 population as 157,344. The city of Erzincan had a population of about 40,000.)
Erzincan is about 350 miles east of Ankara and about 200 miles east of Sivas and Samsun, in the area  which earlier reports had indicated was hardest hit.

 

2000 ITALIAN VOLUNTEERS REACH FINLAND;

NORWAY RUSHES SKIS, GUNS T0 THE FRONT

LONDON, Dec. 28.—(A.P.)—An Exchange Telegraph (British News Agency) dispatch from Helsinki today said it was reported without confirmation that 2000 Italian volunteers had arrived at Tornio to fight for Finland against Soviet Russia. Tornio is a Finnish port at the head of the Gulf of Bothnia.

OSLO, Dec. 28.—(A.P.)- A "Nordic division" composed of Scandinavian volunteers is being formed for the Finnish Army, the Norwegian

Telegram Bureau said today. Many Norwegians are offering their services for this unit, and are to be sent shortly to Finland via Sweden. Only experienced Winter sportsmen and ski experts are accepted. Their skis, clothing and weapons are being supplied by private subscriptions.

Foreign Minister Dr. Halvdan Kohl said that Norway under no circumstances could give military aid to Finland.

Norway's attitude, as- he outlined it. was one of readiness to lend moral or material help' but no soldiers.

Norwegian money contributions to Finland have reached a total of 8,000,000 kroner (about 51,816,000), and still are pouring in. They are being turned over to Finnish authorities Gifts in goods also have reached a large total, including 50,000 knapsacks.

ROME, Dec. 28.—(AP)—Dispatches from Peshawar said today that Afghanistan apparently was mobilizing her armed forces at the Soviet Russian border. The reports were denied by Afghanistan officials.

The daily advices said that Iranian troops were  concentrating on the Russian border between Kezuit and Tabriz, and that at least 20,000 soldiers were massed between Hamadan and Kermanshah, near the southern tip of the Caspian Sea.

 

Nations of Three Continents Rush

Troops, Cash, Arms To Finland

By EDWARD W. BEATTIE JR.

COPENHAGEN, Dec. 28. — (U.P)— Nations of three continents are organizing for aid for finance, reports showed today.  

Volunteers from the Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden; war materials from the Allied countries, money from the United States and other Nations are on the way to help the Finns in their' fight against Russia.

Two detachments of volunteers passed through Stockholm last night and were joined by a contingent of Stockholm, including Prof. Hans Chattingius of the University of Upsala and the Rev. Harald Aekerhieln, a Stockholm pastor.- Two Swedish contingents had left Stockholm for Finland yesterday. Another left Malmoe for Stockholm.

Two officers of the Danish Air Force Reserve left for Finland without authority and, according to reports, may be court martialed. They were reported to be members of a Danish Olympic glider team..

Norway started a drive for 50,000 knapsacks for the Finnish Army. Most of 10,000 already donated were filled by their donors with warm clothing and tobacco.

Laplanders of Northern Finland "gave the Army 7000 prime reindeer skins and promised 15,000 pairs of  skis as well -as clothing to be made by Lapp women.