760d.61/585: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 2—11:46 a.m.]
992. My 990, December 1, 8 p.m.6 The Soviet press this morning announces that in response to a request from the newly formed “People’s Government of Finland” the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U. S. S. R. has decided to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with “the Finnish Democratic Republic”. The Soviet press today publishes on the first page the composition of the “People’s Government of Finland” headed by Otto Kuusinen as President of the government and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ministers of Finance, Defense, Internal Affairs, Agriculture and Education and Minister for the Affairs of Karelia, whose names are unknown to the Embassy. The press likewise publishes on the front page the full text of the declaration of this new government which is as summarized in my telegram under reference, with the addition of the announcement of the formation of “a first Finnish corps” made up of volunteers which will form the nucleus of the future people’s army and an appeal to the Soviet Government for the conclusion of a pact of mutual assistance between Finland and the Soviet Union and with the request for the Union of the Karelian people in a single and independent Finn state. The declaration states that the first task of the new “Government” [Page 1016] is to bring about the overthrow of the present Finn Government, the destruction of its armed forces, the conclusion of peace, and the guaranteeing of the independence and security of Finland by means of the establishment of friendly relations with the Soviet Union.
- Not printed; it quoted the 6 p.m. announcement by the Soviet radio of the formation at Terijoki of the “People’s Government of Finland” and its appeal for the aid of the Red Army in crushing the “warmongers of the Tanner Government.” (760d.61/561) Väinö A. Tanner was now Minister for Foreign Affairs in the new Cabinet of Risto H. Ryti.↩