The most heartening news of the week has undoubtedly been the reports of the outstanding Finnish success against the Soviet invaders; the manner in which they have defended their land, and inflicted heavy losses upon their enemy speaks volumes for the bravery of the troops, and the efficiency of their commanders, While Moscow now seeks to deny that it ever contemplated a lightning war, it is apparent that, when it decided upon hostilities, the un-denying idea was to get it finished before the really cold weather settled down over the whole country. In other words Moscow thought it could do in Finland what the Germans were lucky enough to do in Poland. The Russian command gave itself three weeks in which to carry out the scheme, but the Finns, having entirely different ideas about the whole matter, have put up such a resistance, in some cases opposing a Russian division with but a battalion, that the Russian offensive was broken, and particularly in the extreme north they were forced to retreat in disorder. It is so what late in the day for the Russians to attribute their lack of success to the difficulty of the Finnish terrain, for they were fully apprised of that factor before they commenced warfare, and it stands out prominently that they contemptuously underestimated their opponents, and have been made to pay the price of their rashness. The various reports which have come to hand indicate that the Soviet military machine is hopelessly inefficient and that the care of the men is nothing upon which the Soviet Government can pride itself. Men properly clothed and fed should be just able to withstand the cold as the Finns, an the large number of Russian soldiers who are reported to have died from frostbite and cold is ample proof that their equipment was rot such as to protect them from the inclemency of the weather. If as it is reported the Soviet command decides to go to winter quarters for the next few months, the Finns should have opportunity for further perfecting their defences, and the friends abroad a good chance to assist them with those supplies of material of which they will be in need directly the Soviet recommences its onslaught, At the same time there is afforded an opportunity for tal ing peace. Not that there is much prospect of success in this connection for it may be taken for granted that Moscow will not now give up until it has secured what it wants, or is definitely impressed by further defeats that the Finns do not intend to abate of jot of opposition they have offered to Russian plans. It is realized that the Russian masses are rot fully informed of the reverses which have been inflicted upon their troops, but in circles which are acquainted of the facts there must be considerable misgivings lest after all their Jeader M. Stalin has but feet of clay. In any event opinions as to the value of Russia as an Ally tə any nation must now undergo very profound readjustment. Probably the most interesting report which has come to hand on the Finnish situation is that from Amsterdam which states that M. Stalin has asked Germany for aid against Finland, one version having it that four war vessels were demanded to assist in the blockade of that country. It is reported that the German naval command has abrupt! refused to give the demanded aid, and this is probably correct. It will be remembered that German naval circles were considerably exercised over the growth of Russian domination in the Baltic, and that they should be asked to assist the Soviet in strengthening it command of that stretch of water, would in the circumstances be the height of irony. Another report states that Russia has asked for the services of senior German officers in their fight against Finland, which if true would amount to an astonishing admission of the failure of the Soviet command, and the com-alefest proof possible that the military machine which it has built up is a very unsound creation. Taken all in all the Russian army has made a very poor showing. Outnumbering the Finns, and equipped with what was claimed to be the latest material, the Soviet armies have failed in the one great test, and that on which they chose for themselves. It has been claimed in their behalf that the Soviet was not using its crack troops, but if this is true it is merely another example of military incom-potence, in that the command failed to under-tand the determination of the resistance which would be offered them.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.