760d.61/389: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 2—11:36 a.m.]
849. My 847, November 1, 10 p.m. The remarks of Kuznetsov,71 the Secretary of the Party Committee in Leningrad, in presenting the customary motion to approve Molotov’s speech as published in the press yesterday contained a more direct threat to Finland. After accusing the Finnish “ruling circles” of delaying the negotiations he stated: “I do not know on whom the representatives of these ruling circles are counting. It is well known to all of us that certain governments in Europe also counted on someone. They hoped for and even obtained guarantees but what occurred is also well known to all of us. Is it not clear that the sole guaranty, the sole hope for the preservation of peace and for the security and independence of Finland is the Soviet Union alone?”
The obvious reference to the fate of Poland contained in Kuznetsov’s remarks is apparently part of an attempt by the Soviet Government to create a menacing atmosphere prior to the resumption of the negotiations with the Finnish delegates who arrived in Moscow this morning and to impress the Finnish representatives with the necessity of meeting the Soviet demands. As the principal point at issue remains the question of the location of a naval base, Molotov’s failure to specify whether the Soviet Union will insist on a base at Hango or elsewhere on the mainland or perhaps accept a base upon an island, together with his reference to Soviet concession in the matter of the fortification of the Aland Islands, would indicate that the Soviet Government still envisages the possibility of a compromise which will then be presented as a satisfaction of the Soviet demands as set forth in Molotov’s speech. In view of Finnish reaction to Molotov’s speech the dangers inherent in the employment of such tactics on the part of the Soviet Government are apparent.
Repeated to Helsinki.
- Alexey Alexandrovich Kuznetsov, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party in Leningrad.↩