File No. 860d.00/161
The Minister in Sweden (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 29, 4.10 a.m.]
2181. Swedish press reports, account impossibility reach understanding between government and General Mannerheim regarding future organization Finnish army, General maintains resignation. Reconstruction Senate now accomplished. All Senators remaining and Paasikivi appointed Premier, Colonel Thesleff War Minister, [Page 790] Senator Stenroth Foreign Minister, and Sario without portfolio. Agrarian Paloheima appointed chief Food Administration. Dagens Nyheter comments resignation Mannerheim. Seems signify victory for pure German influence in Young Finnish army, it being known for some time that so-called chasseur officers, who received training Germany, been undermining position Finnish officers and carrying on propaganda for thorough application German military system and placing leadership in German hands. Pro-German forces also been at work lessening Swedish influence high military officers, but appointment War Minister with subsequent curtailment power of Commander in Chief was determining factor in Mannerheim’s resignation. No suggestion yet regarding his successor. …