704.60D61/1: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 1—2:45 p.m.]
987. The Finnish Minister called to see me this afternoon and informed me that he had received a telegram from his Government last night via Tallinn instructing him to entrust the representation of Finnish interests in Moscow to such mission as he deemed advisable. He said that his first thought had been to request the American Government to assume the representation of Finnish interests but that this morning he had heard a rumor to the effect that the United States was about to break off relations with Russia and that in consequence he had discussed with the Italian Ambassador96 the possibility of the Italian Government representing Finnish interests. His Counselor,97 whom he had not previously consulted, having expressed doubt as to the accuracy of the rumor, he said he had called to inquire of me as to whether the rumor of an immediately impending rupture of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Soviet Union was correct, I replied that I had no information or even intimation to this effect. He then said that under these circumstances he would appreciate it very much if I would request my Government to assume the representation of Finnish interests in Moscow and said that in view of the urgency of the situation he would welcome an immediate reply. I told him that I would be glad to transmit his request to my Government and that I would give him the reply as soon as it was received by me. In conclusion, the Minister stated that before calling on me he had told the Italian Ambassador of his decision to request the American Government to represent Finland provided the reported impending rupture of relations between the United States and the Soviet Union was not confirmed and that the Italian Ambassador had approved his decision.
[For the statement made by President Roosevelt at his press conference of December 1, 1939, on the attack by the Soviet Union against Finland, see Foreign Relations, The Soviet Union, 1933–1939, page 799, or Department of State Bulletin, December 2, 1939, page 609.]