The Fate of Finland
Russia's invasion of Finland by land, sea and air puts an end to all speculations as to whether the campaign of brutal menace was to stop short of actual gunfire. It is impossible that Finland can maintain resistance long. She must inevit- ably be reduced to the condition of a vassal like Latvia and Estonia. Mr. Cordell Hull's offer of American mediation might have had some effect, but the Russian invasion has already made it irrelevant. From first to last the issue has been as clear-cut as any issue could be. The Russian demands have been intolerable and based on not even the most specious pretence of justice, for the idea of an attack by Finland on Russia is fantastic, and the only Power that could attempt to use Finland as a base is Ger- many, Russia's new-found friend and ally. So far as the ostensible cause of complaint is that Leningrad is within range of artillery on the Finnish frontier, that was completely met, in the stage of immediate negotiations, by the offer of the Finns to move their guns back out of range. The denunciation by Russia of the Non-Aggression Pact with Finland is precisely of a piece with the denunciation of the German-Polish Pact by Herr Hitler, and provides one more evidence of the utter worthlessness of any agreement with certain Powers, which thus cynically advertise their intention to be bound by agreements so long as it may suit their con- venience and no longer The Finns have comported them- selves throughout with dignity, moderation and courage.
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