Dec. 2.
It was remarked yesterday in this column that after the breaking off of diplomatic relationships between Finland and Russia, 3 move made by Moscow, the next step to war Would be a very small one, though it was not then to be anticipated that M. Stalin would move so quickly as he is reported to have done, Without any formal declaration war the Soviet Government has luinehed ils forces in a general attack upon the ter victory of Finland, and the world is again being given an exhibition of totalitarian war in which every accepted canon of decency thrown to the wind, in an attempt by a huge nation to overwhelm a small one whose only offence has been a desire, and a determination to preserve its independence, and integrity in order to work out its own destiny. That this action should have aroused the Hereest indignation the. world over, and more particularly in the United States ix not sur prising, for a more loathsome display tyrannical force, excelling, if that is possible, that of the Reic nst' Poland, it is difm= cull to perceive. There is something more it, Washington's offer of its ood otices in adjusting the Russian-Pinnish dispute was not a day old. It had been accepted by Finland and ignored by the Soviet Government, and a more discourteous rebuilt it is impossible to conceive. What the action of Washington will be in answer to it will probbly be revealed in a few days, but, if President Roosevelt decides to break off rela tions with Moscow, he will undoubtedly. have behind him the unanimous the, people of the United States ileanee about the whole matter ch should not be overlooked. It is adibly reported that the Reich, while professing some sort of sympathy with Finland, advised its Government to settle with Mos-caw peaceably, in other words to surrender, and, inthe the maintenance of Nach in case merely royals. which have characterized Here Hitler's policy these ast few months, and that a betrayal of a country which the Reich itself assisted into existence.
If the rest of the Scandinavian countries are watching developments with the gravest anxiety their perturbation is perfectly comprehensible; if in the Balkans certain states wre wondering when their turn will come it need cause no surprise, for Herr Hitler has sole the pass which enables Russia to take active part in European affairs, permitting the Russian menace to overshadow eastern Europe from the North Cape to the Dar-dandles. And he.has sold it in an attempt to avert that defeat in the west which by yn upon warfare he has in-All that will be poor Finns in this their darkest my, of about 600,000 men
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.