Rome, Dec. 27.
"Finnish propaganda among the Russian troops has resulted in the Finns gaining much war material," states the "Popolo di Roma's" special correspondent in Finland.
"Finnish planes are continually flying over the Russian lines, dropping leaflets inciting the Soviet troops to desert and assuring them that they will be well treated."
The Finns are also reported to be offering substantial monetary rewards for war material surrendered, particularly" tanks and planes in good condition.
Ten Soviet bombers and an entire battalion of tanks, amongst other arms, are said to have been obtained in this manner.
The correspondent says that the tank battalion surrendered en masse, and that the commander is now instructing Finnish troops in the management and upkeep of tanks, in return for a substantial Helsinki, Dec. 27.
Reports from several centres describe Soviet land attacks as lacking real vigour. The Russians, it is stated, seem more intent upon keeping themselves warm than on fighting.
At a point near Lake Ladoga, one report claims, a dozen Finnish soldiers crept forward to a Russian position and found a store of 2,090 p: of skiis. They set the store on fire before retiring. To their amazement the Russians made no attempt to give chase or even to extinguish the blaze. but utilized the occasion to warm themselves.
In Helsinki fresh instructions were issued today to protect the population against air attacks.
All motor vehicles are to be painted white to make them harmonize with the snow. Passengers in public vehicles must carry white sheets with which to cover themselves during raids, when Russian airmen swoop down and machine gun pedestrians and vehicles in the streets—Reuter. and the new Italian Ambassador to the Vatican, Sr. Alfieri.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.