The Demands on Finland
The references to Finland in M. Molotov's speech on Tuesday have aroused grave anxiety in Sweden no less than in Finland itself. M. Molotov chose the very moment when the Finnish delegation was returning to Moscow with com- promise proposals to blazon to the world the earlier course of negotiations which the Finns had scrupulously kept secret. Russia, according to the Commissar for Foreign Affairs, had not demanded the Aaland Islands from Finland (it is believed, however, that she had demanded guarantees for their non-fortification); she wanted a mutual assistance pact —the admissibility of which would depend on the form it took ; she wanted to rent various islands of strategic im- portance in the Gulf of Finland, and an exchange of territory to provide for the better defence of Leningrad ; there appears also to be a demand for a naval base on the main- land. Finland, said M. Molotov, had conceded only part of these requirements, and Russia had modified her pro- posals. The modifications were inconsiderable, judging by the time and attention their consideration called for at Helsinki, but the fact that the Finnish delegation returned to Moscow on Thursday indicates that hope of a settlement has not been abandoned. Finland seems prepared to fight in the last resort, and it is doubtful whether Russia wants to. M. Molotov, incidentally, repudiated the idea of any demands on Sweden. But Sweden is deeply concerned in the future of the Aaland Islands.
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