758.60D11/13: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Sterling) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 28—1:30 p.m.]
152. Moscow informed the Finnish, Swedish, and Norwegian Governments yesterday that in its interpretation of the Finnish-Soviet peace terms it would consider the proposed Nordic defensive alliance as an unneutral act and if consummated the Soviet Government must change its attitude towards the three countries.
This information came from Erkko who, after consultation with the Crown Prince and Gunther today, does not believe that Sweden will force the issue.
[For remarks concerning Finland in Molotov’s speech before the Sixth Session of the Supreme Council of the Soviet Union on March 29, 1940, see telegram No. 337, March 29, from the Chargé in the Soviet Union, volume III, page 191.]