London, June 26, The Finnish Legation in London, in a statement issued last night, said violations of Finnish territory from the Soviet Union and the bombing of ten towns and villages several times on Wednesday compelled Finland "from now on to defend herself with every means in her power,"
Meanwhile, the German Radio again alleged that Finland was participate ing in the war when, in an English-language broadcast "last night, it asserted that Finland had declared the existence of a state of war with Soviet Russia, The report added: "Fighting is still in full progress,"
Comment of well-informed London circles was that in view of Germany's interest in inducing Finland to go to war with Russia, an interest which Germany repeatedly advertised during the last few days, this report, which has not an official character, should be treated with all reserve, The statement declared: "Violations of Finnish territory from the side of the U, SS.R, which have taken place during the last few days, since this morning (Wednesday) become systematic and developed ino an attack on a large scale, More than ten towns and villages have today been several times bombed, with casualties among the civilian population and material damage, "The Finnish Government had previously asked the Soviet Government for explanations as to the reasons of the violations, but have not received any reply.
"This and the fact that the Soviet Government thus opened hostilities against Finland, compel her from now on to defend hersd with every means in her power,"
A ministerial statement made at yesterday's session of the Finnish Diet. quoted by the official German news agency, says that as a victim of "Soviet aggression since this morning" (Wednesday), Finland has taken defensive military measures,"
A unanimous vote of confidence in the Government was passed at the session.—Reuter, Nazi Admission Why Russia Attacks Finland The weight of the new British offensive against Germany is shown by an admission by the official German news agency yesterday, which said that heavy damage was caused on Tuesday night when British bombers raided Duesseldorf and the naval base at Kiel. Two British planes failed to return.
German activity over Britain on Tuesday night was again on a small scale. But four enemy raide: destroyed. Early yesterday, a fifth bomber was shot down by anti-aircraft fire from a British convoy and its escort, An Air Ministry communique anneed this morning: "Enemy acy over this country last night was not on a large scale. Bombs were dropped at a number of points, mainly in south England and at a place on the north-east of Scotland. No damage was done and a small number of casualties has been reported. One enemy bomber was destroyed during the night."—Reuter, Moscow, June 26, The radio this morning, referring to the first Finnish war, stated it was not against Finland that Russia had to take precautions but it was realized that Germany would have used Finnish territory for an attack on the Soviet Union.
"The real cause of the first Russo-
Finnish war was the presence in Europe of an aggressor, It was this that compelled the Soviet Union to seek security in reverting to the old policy of acquiring strategic positions.
"If the Finnish people are again involved in war today it is quite accurate to say that they are merely innocent victims of the German aggrosser. Because it is Germany that Russia fought in Finland in 1940, and it is Germany she is fighting there today, inland ought to know that she is being bombed only on account of the presence of German troops on her territory. The aggressor in Finland is really Germany,"—Reuter, House Holds Secret Session on Shipping Rome Triples Penalty For Listening-in London, June 26.
The House of Commons yesterday discussed the shipping position in a secret session, It is understood that the Prime Minister made a comprehensive statement,—Reuter.
Zurich, June 20.
A new Italian decree, tripling the scale of prison sentences for listening io enemy or neutral broadcasts, was announced today, says the Milan correspondent of the "Neue Zuercher Zeitung."—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.