"Of Mortal Ills"

Amid nervous rumors of an impending Russian invasion of their neighbor, Norway, the Finns sent a fateful mission to Moscow last week. Its purpose: "discussion" of the military pact Stalin wants to conclude with Finland.

As the envoys were preparing for departure, orders came from Moscow to pack full evening dress and decorations. That created a crisis: only the Communist Minister of the Interior Yrjoe Leino had thought of taking frakkipuku (tails) on a mission that would probably mean Finland's doom. When the delegates finally climbed into a chocolate-brown sleeper at Helsinki station, a small man in the crowd cried: "It's just like 1939!" Part of the crowd started to sing the Finnish national anthem; Communists countered with the Internationale. But the patriots had the last word. With conviction, they sang:

A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe. . . .

Then the train to Moscow pulled out of the station.

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