File No. 763.72119/1147
The Minister in Sweden ( Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 22, 12.30 a.m.]
1346. Swedish press reports via Berlin that negotiations political and territorial questions resumed to-day. After discussion the land [Page 428] [Åland Islands] question came up. Kühlmann1 said Germany desired consult Baltic peoples and especially Sweden, who although not represented present negotiations, would probably desire to be. That Entente [status] matter of interest to Germany as one of signers of old treaties and first question to be solved was whether Russia or newly recognized Finland had right to settle this. Trotsky said Finland’s independence made no change. Kühlmann said Germany had individual rights in this question emanating from old treaty signed after Crimean war and which would be basis of German demands now. Trotsky reserved answer.
- Richard von Kühlmann, German Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, had joined the German delegation at Brest Litovsk on Dec. 21, 1917.↩