February 2, 1940; FINNS HOLD POSITIONS ON MANNERHEIM LINE:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1940:

FINNS HOLD

STUBONLY TO
POSITIONS

Offensive Is at Surtma^

20 Miles Inland From
Coastal Fortress Which
Has Stood for 9 Weeks.

HELSINKI, Friday, Feb. 2.— (/P}—The Russian army struck with surprise force at the Mannerhelm line last night,-employing a new offensive t e c h n i q u e with armored, sledges supported by a swarm of 130 battle planes, even as Finland's white-haired president was issuing an appeal for an "honorable peace."

The Red army, which has beenplaying dead on the Karelian Isthmus since mid-January while fierce battles were waged along the Arctic circle and north of Lake Ladoga suddenly came to life with a violent onslaught aimed straight at Viipuri; Finland's second largest city.

Attack at Summa, :
The attack was made at Summa; 20 miles inland from the coastal fortress of Kolvlsto, which has withstood nine weeks of hammering from land and naval artillery and aerial bombardment.

Advices from observers with the Finns' Karelian army said the .attack continued early today, with this entrenched Finns holding, doggedly to 'their 'positions 20' miles south of Viipuri.

Tha Russians "began digging in on" the .-Karelian": Isthmus '-front last month, and-.only Wednesday; night Gen. Hugo Ostenrinnri, Finnish commander-in-chief, declared the war there had been reduced to a "war of position.”

The Karalean attack coincided, with a Finnish army communique which Indicated the Russians are attempting to resume the offensive all along the line from the Arctic to Lake Ladoga. The communique told of the re-

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MONTANA STANDARD. BUTTE. FRIDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 2, 1940.     Page 3

SOVIETS LAUNCH

FRESH ATTACK

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pulsed Russian attacks In the Arctic Petsamo area, on the Salla front, and on an island off the northwestern shore of Lake Ladoga in southern Finland, and Rovanlemf in the north.

Helsinki's first midnight air raid alarm chased the citizens out of bed into their bombproofs at 12:05 a. m. today. No planes were sighted, however, and the alarm was ended after 20 minutes.

Several buildings were set afire by Incendiary bombs at Rovanienvi, but early reports Indicated few persons were killed.

Appeal Is Qualified.
President Kyosli Kalllo's appeal to end this "barbaric, senseless attack" was firmly qualified by the assertionFinland would not cringe before "imperialistic alms."

The president used the final, solemn session of the war diet as a sounding board for his pica, but It really was addressed to the Soviet government which docs not recognize his government and which does not even admit It Is "waging a war against Finland."

Russia Invaded Finland two months ago. Firmly and proudly Kallio Insisted, despite the second peace offer, that Finland will not crlnge before "imperialistic alms." This he reiterated in general the previous offer of peaceful negotiations made on December 15 by Foreign Minister Valno Tnnncr, In a broadcast message,

Japanese Military

Leaders Present
Big Arms Program

Army Warns That It Is Maintaining

a Close Watch on Borders
of Soviet Russia

TOKYO, Feb. 1.—(AP)—A seven-year arms program costing $671,000,000 was presented by Japan's military leaders today to a parliament stirred by the warning that the 'army is maintaining a close watch on Soviet Russia's borders because of "scores of illegal acts" committed by the Russians