Finland's Share in the War
It appears that the apparently uncompromising Finnish reply to the American Note which described Finnish operations against Russia as " a direct threat to American security," has caused a good deal of uneasiness in Finland, and may not have been intended as the Government's last word. The latter had cate- gorically refused to withdraw its troops, on the ground that to do so would expose Finland to further attacks ; and it is reported that on the Karelian and Arctic fronts a joint Finnish-German offensive against the White Sea is still in preparation. Such a move would obviously be a threat to American and British supplies on their way southwards from Murnansk. On the other hand, reports from Helsinki have been published stating that the granting of leave to certain classes of soldiers has been made possible by diminished Russian pressure " ; and M. Tanner, the Finnish Social Democratic leader, has said in an interview that a majority of soldiers will get home leave " when we have reached a position making it possible for us to cease fighting and to feel secure." No doubt there is uneasiness, especially among the more liberal elements in Finland, at the prospect of finding themselves at war with Britain and embroiled with America ; but the time has passed when the Allies can temporise on the subject of Finland's active help to Germany. If she will not consent at least to withdraw her forces to her original frontier, then she is waging aggressive war and must accept the full consequences.
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