The Pittsburgh Press (September 5, 1944)
Soviet troops cease fire on Finnish front
Terms believed like earlier proposals
London, England (UP) –
Soviet troops on the Finnish front ceased firing today, ending three years of war.
The Russian Supreme Command ordered the halt of military operations against Finland effective at 8:00 a.m. CET today, in view of the Finns’ acceptance of preliminary conditions to an armistice offered by the Soviet government.
The Finns ceased firing at 8:00 a.m. yesterday.
The Soviet terms were believed similar to previous proposals, based on the restoration of frontiers and reparations. Russia did not demand unconditional surrender of the Finns.
A Moscow dispatch said there was no grounds for belief that the Russians would be excessively harsh and foreign observers believed Finland would retain its independence.
Parliament meets
A Helsinki dispatch said the Finnish Parliament held two secret sessions last night believed preparatory to the sending of a peace delegation to Moscow. At one session, the body received an important announcement from the government. Well-informed sources said the peace delegation consisting of approximately 10 persons probably took part in one of the meetings.
A Helsinki broadcast said Premier Anders Hackzell’s cabinet was given a vote of confidence by Parliament at the close of the sessions.
Germans leaving
The Stockholm Morgen Tidningen reported from Helsinki that German civilians and soldiers were leaving southern Finland in compliance with the government’s order that they must be out of the country by Sept. 15.
The Swedish government announced in Stockholm that it was prepared to provide Finland with certain foodstuffs in the event a peace is reached with Russia.