The Ypsilanti Daily Press

Occupation of Finland Seen as Solution

Washington, Feb. 21-INS-Strong diplomatic belief prevailed in Washington today that Finland would welcome American military occupation as a means of securing that country's withdrawal from the war.

Stockholm reports that such a possibility is being considered in connection with the Russo-Finnish peace talks aroused great interest in Washington.

The view prevailed in responsible diplomatic circles that such a plan might provide the key to Finland's withdrawal from the war if Soviet Russia was agreeable to it.

The Finnish people are known to be eager to get out of the war. However, they are faced with a dilemma. If they surrender unconditionally to Russia, they fear they will lose their future independence. If they make a separate peace with Russia, they also fear trouble with the six or seven German divisions stationed in northern Finland.

They don't want to exhaust themselves trying to chase the Germans out only to pave the way for the Russians to come in and conquer them.

Finns Willing

However, if an Armistice could be arranged under which American forces would occupy the country, and, if necessary, chase the Germans out, it is believed the Finns would gladly accept it.

It is further believed that under such an arrangement, Finland would be willing to leave the question of its future frontier with Russia to be decided by a United Nations' council after the end of the European war. This would be in accord with the view frequently expressed by Secretary of State Cordell Hull that European boundary settlements should be postponed until Germany has been defeated.

Not at War

Although Great Britain as well

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Finland
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as Russia is at war with Finland the United States is not. Sources familiar with the sentiment of the Finnish people are convinced they would not only welcome but cooperate with any American military force that came to occupy that country and drive the Germans out.

If the Russians were agreeable to such a plan, it is believed American military forces could, with comparative ease, reach northern Finland through the Barents Sea and move in around Petsamo. The possibility also was seen that American forces could get to Finland by striking through northern Norway around Tronso. The Germans are known to have built military roads between northern Norway and Finland.

In addition to securing Finland's withdrawal from the war, American military occupation of that country would, it was pointed out, provide a base for operations for a pincers movement to drive the Germans out of Norway.