Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1939, General, Volume I

760d.61/479: Telegram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Thurston) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, November 26, 1939—2 p.m.
[Received November 26—9:48 a.m.]

941. Today’s Pravda published a front page editorial devoted to a sarcastic and abusive personal attack upon Cajander, the Finland Prime Minister whom it repeatedly characterizes as a clown. The editorial stresses the point that the Finnish people are not in agreement with Cajander’s rejection of the Soviet proposals, states that he belongs to the farsighted school of Beck⁷⁷ and Moscicki⁷⁸ and implies he is being led by England. It concludes by expressing the hope that the Finnish people will not long permit marionettes like Cajander to guide the Finnish Ship of State along the disastrous course of Beck and Moscicki.

Repeated to Helsinki.

Thurston

77. Józef Beck, Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs until outbreak of war.
78. Ignacy Moscicki, President of the Republic of Poland, 1926–1939.