760D.61/1233: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 8—11:40 a.m.]
255. A Swedish plane arrived yesterday evening bearing Ryti, Paas-ikivi, General Wallin,82 Wuomanen,83 two minor Finnish officials, and a [Page 303] secretary. The omission of Tanner from the delegation is in my opinion wise.
The visit has been veiled in the utmost secrecy, the delegates having been provided with Swedish passports bearing fictitious names, and the plane having landed at an obscure airport. The presence of the delegation in Moscow is in consequence thus far known only to the Kremlin, the Swedish Legation and this Embassy.
I have just had a talk with the Swedish Minister who has not yet seen any of the delegates. He assured me that notwithstanding press despatches to the contrary the Germans have had no connection of any kind with the negotiations leading to the presence in Moscow of the Finnish delegation. He also said that the suggestion of an immediate armistice has thus far not met with the approval of Kremlin which apparently wished first to explore the possibility of a final peace.
The Minister intimated very clearly that he and his Government hoped for the cooperation of the United States in strengthening the position of the Finnish delegates during the negotiations. He stated that he believed that once the presence of the Finnish delegation in Moscow became known it would be helpful if the interests of the United States in the successful outcome of the negotiations were to be publicly disclosed as this would have a material effect on the Soviet position since it is common knowledge that the Soviet Government is seriously concerned about its relations with the United States84 particularly in respect of purchases in the United States.
- Gen. Rudolf Walden is the person meant.↩
- Väinö Voionmaa is intended.↩
- For correspondence concerning difficulties in relations between the United States and the Soviet Union, and efforts for their alleviation, see vol. iii, pp. 244 ff.↩