500.C111/1131: Telegram
The Consul General at Geneva (Tittmann) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 13—6 p.m.]
322. The draft report drawn up by the committee on Finnish appeal which will be presented to the Assembly tomorrow is accompanied by the following draft resolution.2k
“Part One. Whereas by the aggression which it has committed against Finland the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has failed to observe not only its special political agreements with Finland but also article XII of the Covenant of the League of Nations and the Pact of Paris.2l
And whereas immediately before committing that aggression it denounced without legal justification the treaty of nonaggression which it had concluded with Finland in 1932 and which was to remain in force until the end of 1945.
Solemnly condemns the action taken by the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics against the state of Finland.
Urgently appeals to every member of the League to provide Finland with such material and humanitarian assistance as may be within its power and to refrain from any action which might weaken Finland’s power of resistance.
[Page 804]Authorises the Secretary General to lend the aid of his technical services in the organization of the aforesaid assistance to Finland.
And likewise authorises the Secretary General in virtue of the Assembly resolution of October 4, 19372m to consult non-member states with a view to possible cooperation.
Part Two. Whereas notwithstanding an invitation extended to it on two occasions the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has refused to be present at the examination of its dispute with Finland before the Council and the Assembly.
And whereas by this refusing to recognise the duty of the Council and the Assembly as regards the execution of article XV of the Covenant it has failed to observe one of the League’s most essential covenants for the safeguarding of peace and the security of nations.
And whereas it has vainly attempted to justify its refusal on the ground of the relations which it has established with an alleged government which is neither de jure nor de facto the government recognised by the people of Finland in accordance with the free working of their institutions.
And whereas the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has not merely violated a covenant of the League but has by its own action placed itself outside the Covenant.
And whereas the Council is competent under article XVI of the Covenant to consider what consequences should follow from this situation.
Recommends the Council to pronounce upon the question.”
- For text of the resolution by the League Assembly, see League of Nations, Official Journal, Nos. 11–12 (pt. ii), November–December 1939, p. 540.↩
- Treaty for the Renunciation of War (Kellogg-Briand Pact), signed at Paris, August 27, 1928, Foreign Relations, 1928, vol. i, p. 153.↩
- For the text of this resolution concerning the giving of aid to the victim of aggression by members and non-members of the League, see League of Nations, Official Journal, Special Supplement No. 168, Resolutions Adopted by the Assembly during Its Eighteenth Ordinary Session (September 13–October 6, 1937), p. 35.↩