The step which the Soviet has taken in breaking off diplomatic relations with Finland is but a further exercise of that pressure by means of which the Kremlin hopes to gain acquiescence to its demands without actually going to war. It does not seem that there is now much else left for M. Stalin to do, should Finland determine to stand by her guns, than actually to embark upon warfare, and attempt to seize by force what Finland is not willing to surrender. In a last endeavour to prevent the outbreak of war between the two countries, which in the event of Russian success would in all probability mean the disappearance of Finland as an independent state, the U. S. Secretary of State made the following important announcement on Thursday at the usual Press conference The Government of the United States is watching with serious concern the aggravation of the crisis between Finland and Soviet Russi The American Government would view with extreme regret any extension of the present sphere of hostilities the consequence of which would further deteriorate international relations, Without taking sides in any manner whatsoever in the dispute, and with the idea of merely advising a peaceful settlement of the dispute, the United States Government would be happy to offer their good offices if both parties expressed such a desire.
In making this announcement the United States Government have gone further than it has done since the commencement of the various crises which have led-to the present war. On those occasions there has been no offer of good offices, Washington contenting itself with requesting the various Governments concerned to settle their differences peacefully, or to submit to arbitration. In this connection it has to be remembered that President Roosevelt's last appeal along these lines was answered by the Governments to which it was addressed with the exception of Herr Hitler, whose discourtesy in this respect is now recognized as indicating even then his intention of embarking upon such courses ds he must have known would inevitably lead to warfare.
The method of making the announcement quoted above is interesting and important. It is only upon the request of the parties in this present crisis that the American Government is prepared to move, and so phrased constitutes no intervention into European affairs unasked, but is simply an expression of readiness to give whatever help can be given towards an adjustment of the difficulty, and even then only upon the expressed wish of the two nations involved. It is probable that Finland will avail itself of the opportunity which it thus offered, but doubtful when ther Soviet Russia will adopt the same course, The manner in which negotiations have been conducted between Finland, and Russia provides all the evidence necessary that the Kremlin will be content with nothing less than Finnish compliance with all the demands made upon her. The acceptance of the United States' good offices would presuppose some sort of compromise between the two countries, which in turn would involve the abandonment of some portion of the Russian demands. So long as the Russian high command is able to advise the government that it can reckon with certainty on any amelioration of the situation. It is in the consciousness of might that M. Stalin is endea¥ouring to impose his will upon a smaller nation, and it is that consciousness which in his opinion permits of that ruthlessness which it is clear may in the ultimate result be exhibited. One of the main difficulties with which the Finnish Government is faced is that there is nothing whatever to show that these demands which have been made will be the last which the Soviet will put forward. The Hitlerian technique has been so faithfully copied up to the present that there is everything to justify the belief that the more that is conceded to M. Stalin the more he will require. These demands which the dictators have put forward have not been based upon any real idea of justice, but merely for the furtherance of grandiose ambitions, and the strongest reason which has been put forward in support of Russian demands,—namely, that the proximity of the Finnish border constitutes a threat to Petro-
Erad,—is. nothing but the most apparent eyewash, which deceives no one.
1t, therefore, it is believed that there is very little likelihood of anything satisfactory emerging as a result of this latest move by Washington, there seems to be every justification for it. Morally it is a most significant move, for it places upon M. Stalin the onus of proving that he is not the aggressor,—if indeed he is so finicky as his confrere in such matters—and of endeavouring to throw the responsibility for war upon the diminutive Finland. It may very well be that M. Stalin cares little or nothing for world opinion. The Bolsheviks have cared little for it in the past, and are not likely to experience any immediate change of heart, and it may be, because of that fact, that this most praiseworthy attempt on the part of Washington to bring the two countries together will fail. It has been suggested that the Kremlin will refuse to carry on any further negotiations with the existing Finnish Government,—hence the breaking off of diplomatic relations,—and will only treat with a new one, one more likely to surrender before Russian menaces. That remains to be seen, though it is doubtful when ther the Finns.would consent to any further surrender of their rights than has already been agreed to by their present Government. There are limits to which people can be pushed, when they stand resolutely, and reply "Thus far, but no further." Those limits are fast being approached in Finnish-Soviet relations, and the temper of the people suggests that any Government which relinquished what they have won at so great a cost would very soon be out of power. None of these considerations, however, in any way diminish the fact that Washington has made an important moral gesture well in keeping with the fine traditions of the United States. The Finns occupy a place of special regard in the affections of the people of the United States, and attempts at their destruction will be bitterly resented throughout their length and breadth. That may not deter Moscow, it may be confidently expected will not, but American interest in Finland will serve to encourage its people to know that even though the day of tribulation may be at hand, that of final and just settlement has yet to come. 5
Concession Changes Important changes have recently occurred in the French military establishment in Shanghai, but these do not imply a drastic reduction in the effectives at the disposal of the French authorities for the fulfillment of police and defenge measures associated with the Concession. This\journal learns that. coincident with these Jghünghs, there has been an increase in the miliry "units of the French police through the re-cruising of time-expired soldiers, chiefly Annamites, and others, and residents of the Concession should labour under no misapprehension that the forces essential for the preservation of law and order have been weakened by recent developments. Unlike the Municipal Police in the International Settlement, who are responsible only to the Shanghai Municipal Council except in the individual aspect involving nationality, the French police is part of the French Government service and its commandant is responsible to the French Consul-General, although the maintenance of the police force is largely a municipal budgetary item. To use a term coined recently as a result of the development of nationalist factors elsewhere, the French police is a paramilitary force, efficiently organized, capable of expansion to meet the emergencies created by any set of conditions Which excludes the presence of a permanent garrison. This is what precisely is happening at present.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.