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But General Mannerheim and his men were none too sanguine last week. Grateful as they were for the help they have received, they know it will not be enough if the Russians keep on pounding. With the Allies pledged to their support, the Finns may have enough men and materials to fight Russia on almost equal terms in the spring, but spring may be too late. Last month General Mannerheim gave to the Allies a clear warning that they could not delay too long. To a correspondent of Paris-Soir he said: "If our foresight, de termination and the unlimited courage of our men have halted the first wave of savage columns of the invader, I desire that nobody forget for long that we fight against 50 to 1."
And if help does not arrive in time, Baron Mannerheim has no doubt about what will happen to his country. Added the 72 -year-old Generalissimo: "We shall fight to the last old man and child. We shall burn our forests and houses, destroy our cities and industries, and what we yield will be cursed by the scourge of God."