Le Nord : revue internationale des Pays de Nord - 01.06.1939, Side 528
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LE NORD
When, in the midst of negotiations,
it is now stated that Finland, against
this will to independence and free-
dom, has been influenced by pres-
sure from outside, it is my duty to
give a categorical denial to all such
statements. Finland has not accepted
advice from any foreign Power, and
no pressure has been brought to bear
on Finland from any quarter. Fin-
land wishes herself to define, in
full independence and liberty, her
attitude towards the questions raised
in the discussions with the Soviet
Union. Finland has given proof of
her confidence in the USSR even
though the proposals presented to
us seem to go much too far and to
be too sweeping. We are freedom-
loving people and desire no conflict.
In the proposals, which will be
handed to the Soviet Government
to-morrow morning, Finland shows
that she is ready to accept a far-
reaching settlement, but that there
is a limit to the compliance of every
nation, even a small one. There are
values which even a small nation
cannot sacrifice. When such essen-
tial values are at stake, Finland
knows what will have to be her
choice, however difficult the road
chosen may be. In making her choice
Finland will be led by the justice
of her cause. History has shown
Finland that right always prevails
in the end.”
“During the difficult weeks
behind us we have been able to
rejoice over at least one pheno-
menon. The Finnish people have
shown themselves during this period
to be as firmly united as a people
can be. Nor has this unity been
limited to political organizations.
Although the great mass of the
people have been ignorant of the
details of the issues at stake, our
people as a whole have displayed
a unity never seen before. The Fin-
nish nation has found itself again.
When our vital interests are at
stake, nothing can divide party
from party or lingual group from
lingual group. For us, who know
our country and our people, there
is nothing surprising in this. The
conflicts of opinion evident in the
past among us have been at bottom
the quarrels that arise in times of
prosperity, when no great vital
questions called for attention. Small
matters can appear important when
there are no great issues on the
horizon.”
The Prime Minister, A. K. Ca-
jander, also dealt with the Soviet
proposals and with Finland’s stand-
point to them in a broadcast on
Nov. 4. He said, inter alia:
“We desire nothing else than to
be allowed, as a free people, to in-
habit and cultivate the land as
many generations before us have
done and to leave it as an inheri-
tance to future generations.
“We threaten no one. We are a
danger to no one. We have kept
our agreements in their entirety.
But our independence, our freedom,
our integrity, we shall defend to
the last. We shall never lend our