The Archive · 1940

Allies Ready t Send Aid

Commons Declaration; Britain Refused to Pass Harsh Soviet Peace Terms to Helsinki British and French Govert Finnish Government that th London, Mar. 11. innments had already' informed the ey were prepared, in response to appeals from it for further aid, to proceed immediately and jointly to help Finland by using all avai announced the Prime Minister, House of Commons today in rep! the Opposition, who asked wheel statement to make regarding the the Soviet Union, liable resources at their disposal, Mr, Neville Chamberlain, in the, ly to Mr. C. R, Attlee, Leader off ther the Prime Minister had any negotiations between Finland and Mr, Chamberlain added that the House would be aware that both the French and Bri Governments had sent, and were continuing to send, material assistance to Finland.

This had been of considerable value to the Finnish forees. The Prime Minister said he-had no information which was sufficiently reliable to give the House at the present moment regarding the question of a settlement of the Russo-Finnish dispute Replying to supplementary ques tion, Mr. Chamberlain said it would be untrue to say that" the Britis srnmont had been asked 10 ni diate, but there was an occasion on which M, Ivan Maisky (the Soviet Ambassador) mentioned certain terms which the Russian Government was prepared to offer Finland, and the British Government did not feel able pass these terms on to Finland, The Prime Minister told Mr. Attlee that any ald. sent to. Finland would be "in accordance with our obligations under the League Coven ant. AS to ce-operation with other states, I have already mentioned France in association with ourselves.

British Government had refused to act as intermediary at the time the Swedes accepted that task.

Denial was given in authoritative quarters "to" the suggestion. that Sweden had agreed to the transit of munitions and troops provided Allied assistance to Finland was of a decisive character, is understood that it has been made very clear to Sweden that the Allies are willing to give increased, assistance to Finland provided facil modification ut the Swedish Of course, T cannot say what other states might feel bound 10 do."

Mr. David Kirkwood, Labour mem= ver for Dumbarton Burghs, asked: "Is not this tantamount to ote yoing war with Russia Mr. Chamberlai "IL hay not gone far as that yet"

Asked if the Government was prepared to send troops to Finland and, ie-¥0, if it was prepared to. violate the neutrality. of Norway in doing x0, Me, Chamberlain said he could not avd anything tothe Statement he had

Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.

Your account