File No. 860d.00/258

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis)

[Telegram]

247. Your 362, August 13, 6 p.m. This Government has hitherto refrained from any expression of opinion or policy as to the independence of Finland. It therefore deems publication of your statement-inadvisable at present and the Legation at Stockholm has been so informed, adding that as the publication of any appeal from the Finns through us might be construed as intervention in Finnish internal affairs, its publication in that manner at this time appears equally inadvisable.

Lansing