760d.61/408: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 4—12:05 p.m.]
864. My telegram No. 863, November 4, 5 p.m. I am informed in strict confidence that the meeting yesterday between the Finnish delegates and Molotov and Potemkin73 took place in a normal atmosphere and that no reference was made by either side to Molotov’s speech or the Pravda editorial. The Finnish delegation presented the Finnish counterproposals to the Soviet demands and is at present awaiting the Soviet answer. My informant stated, however, that the meeting produced little change in the situation, from which it appears that the Soviet Government is still insisting on a naval base at Hango.
As I have previously reported the negotiations appear to be entering a most delicate and even dangerous stage and it is probable that Stalin is at present considering his definite decision in the matter. There have been rumors of troop and artillery movements during the last 48 hours by train from Moscow to Leningrad. I have been unable to confirm these reports and am inclined to believe that if true the movements were not of an extensive character.
- Vladimir Petrovieh Potemkin, Assistant People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.↩