760d.61/563: Telegram
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 1—6:55 p.m.]
386. I saw the new Prime Minister Ryti briefly, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanner for 20 minutes this evening. The former told me that the Russians had been repelled nearly everywhere today.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs said that the new government had taken office at 5:00 o’clock this afternoon. It was a national government with [apparent omission] support of the Finnish Diet. He hoped it would be possible to reach peaceful settlement with the Soviet Union for which purpose it was planned tentatively to solicit diplomatic support of friendly [nations], though at this time its specific program was not defined. A national government was also being formed in Sweden today and might have to take grave decisions in the event as seemed possible the Soviet Government should take action involving Aland Islands where Soviet air forces had been observed today. Finnish Government while hoping to reach friendly settlement with Soviet Russia was not prepared to surrender either its independence or its honor. It was the personal opinion of Minister Tanner that a settlement might still be achieved within the framework of the recent negotiations at Moscow though it might require more concessions than Finnish Government had thus far deemed advisable.
Military situation was not unsatisfactory, no advances having been achieved by the Russians today except slight progress near Terijoki where a so-called new state government had been set up under Communists Kuusinen98 and Rosenberg99 as titular Prime Minister and Foreign [Finance] Minister respectively. There were three heavy air raids today on Helsinki and nearby naval base Santa Hamina. I understand from other sources that at least two Russian planes were brought down in these attacks. The Minister said there had also been air activity at Hango but he had no confirmation of reported sea bombardment there mentioned in my earlier telegram today.
I am now in Helsinki but return to Bad Grankulla tonight through fairly effective blackout.