Finns Must Be Aided to Stave Off Red Menace Stockholm, Feb. 17. The Swedish Government continued to come in for bitter attacks from the press this morning for refusing to extend military aid to Finland.
"The communique of the Premier was a blow to Sweden's chest, "Svenska Dagbladet" said. the population of the country shown so much understanding spirit of sacrifice for the Finnish cause and that millions of Swedes are anxiously listening in to radio reports on the situation in the Karelian Isthmus, the head of the Government dealt summarily with a request of which public opinion had never been informed."
The paper accused the Premier of not showing that amount of understanding which can be expected from the head of a Government, The "Dagens Nyheter," liberal organ, stressed that "one should not close one's eyes to the: truth. Finland's heroic resistance cannot hold out for long against crushing numerical superiority. In these conditions, it was but natural for Finland to appeal to Sweden first. The Finns need soldiers above all. The Premier's communique had the effect of an icy shower on the country. The Government must explain its attitude and shed light on Sweden's military situation by the publication of deci ments from the competent authorities so that the people can know it."
The paper admitted that Sweden's military power is not sufficient, nor are her railways, and this makes it difficult to extend military aid to Finland, However, the journal concluded, the Government must shed light on this subject.
The "Goteborg Handelstidningen™ stressed that "the day the Russians are at Tornea ondon the Aaland archipelago, Sweden's death knell will have sounded."
"Whether the Russians continue their march to effect a junction with the Nazis, or rest upon their laurels, Sweden is lost if a few minutes are enough for Russian planes to bomb her capital," the paper added. "A horrible responsibility weighs upon Sweden's leaders," the journal concluded.—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.