File No. 763.72119/1364
The Minister in Sweden (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 23, 12.37 a.m.]
1522. Swedish press reports via Petrograd’s telegram bureau. …
Reported from Haparanda White Guard taking steps to completely surround Tammerfors and move fighting line towards Riihimäki, [Page 755] headquarters of Red troops. Reported from Haparanda rumored Germans taking measures for transporting troops to southwestern Finland charged with clearing northwestern coast and eastern center part of country of Red Guardists, and press them towards line of government troops, thus putting Red troops between two fires. Telegraphed from Vasa that Finland’s official press bureau reports Whites determine continue struggle until they have won. Arrival of Finnish infantry from Germany has strengthened their confidence. Reported Finland’s legal government’s provisional food administration reduced bread rations from 100 to 75 grams a day. Are hoping obtain grain from Ukraine sent via Germany, and Finnish state authorized its representative Ukraine buy grain for 60,000,000 marks. These consignments can not reach Finland until April.