760d.61/550: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Sterling) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 1—9:30 a.m.]
229. Following from Helsinki by telephone:
“379. December 1, 2 p.m. Our 378 today. Mr. Erkko has just called on me at Bad Grankulla and informed me that new Cabinet is headed by Mr. Ryti, Director of the Bank of Finland, as Prime Minister, with Mr. Tanner, late Minister of Finance, as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Other minor changes in Cabinet possible.
He said heavy artillery preparations from sea for attempted landing have been proceeding at Hangoe with transports visible at sea and have met strong resistance. Air bombing squadrons crossed Finnish Gulf entering Finnish territory over Sveaborg passing Tavastehus en route to industrial cities Tammerfors and Jyvaskyla.
Heavy air raid started over Helsinki about 1 o’clock.
Erkko said he would be called upon for other public office. Schoenfeld.”
Repeated to Paris.