740.00119 European War 1939/54: Telegram
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:25 p.m.]
223. In the course of the conversation reported in my immediately preceding telegram83 the Minister for Foreign Affairs spoke of the appalling prospect before the world if the present war is not soon ended since it would spread indefinitely. He asked, as if thinking aloud, whether a lead could not be given somewhere to bring the war to an end by exploring at least some of the points made in Hitler’s latest speech. He was fearful not only of a general collapse of European civilization but naturally for the fate of his own country in conditions where, as he said, naked force alone rules. He said he had in mind a possible lead by the United States which would be supported unanimously by the Northern neutrals in accordance with agreement already discussed and existing among them. I inquired whether he wished this intimation conveyed to you and he answered that he would appreciate my doing so. He added that according to his information Great Britain and France were sounding possibility of peace, either through a neutral country which was not named, or through the Pope.
[Page 509]I do not wish to question in the slightest the Minister’s utter sincerity in the foregoing, but have no doubt his request was made under the powerful impression of the circumstances already reported.