758.60D11/16: Telegram
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:30 p.m.]
170. In my first conversation yesterday with new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Witting told me that negotiations regarding defensive alliance with Sweden and Norway were not likely to lead to positive result for the present. It would first be necessary greatly to strengthen Norwegian military organization which was very weak as well as to bring Swedish military forces to higher level of efficiency including more extensive training which had been rather neglected, there being too many men in Sweden lacking in military training.
He informed me that delimitation of new frontier with Russia would take about 3 months. Finnish plenipotentiaries now at Moscow were meanwhile discussing numerous questions arising out of the [Page 325] peace settlement. The Soviet Government had suggested that conversations regarding these matters be held at Viborg but Finnish Government preferred to take them up at Moscow. Exchange of regular diplomatic representatives would be effected in the near future.
The Minister expressed appreciation of the assistance received from the United States during hostilities and the hope that it would continue during the period of reconstruction.