760D.62/82: Telegram
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:45 p.m.]
452. The Minister of Foreign Affairs recently assured me that number of German troops passing through FinlaQd under, transit arrangement had been comparatively small and as I gathered had not exceeded number mentioned in my No. 419, October 3. He denied knowledge of any foundation for rumor recently current here that the [Page 352] Germans had undertaken at the instance of the Russians to waive their transit rights, it being implied in the rumor that the Germans had again abandoned Finland to the Soviet Union.
Though my British colleague in moments of depression has expressed opinion that the Germans and the Russians are in agreement not only regarding the Petsamo nickel mines, with reference to which he has lately been active, but also regarding the fate of Finland, in general, I see no reason to doubt that Prime Minister Ryti’s view as reported in my telegram No. 394, September 5 still holds. British Minister credits the Finns with naive illusions regarding advantages to them from alleged existing rivalry between the Germans and the Russians, but in my opinion such illusions would be best described as hopes and the present Finnish Government is fully aware that it is subject to forces over which it has no control. This was confirmed to me last night by Erkko, former Foreign Minister, who reiterated the hope of every public man here for an early peace in the Anglo-German war and advocated action by our Government to that end at the first favorable opportunity. Erkko thought such an opportunity had been presented by failure of German air attack on Britain as well as by success of British evacuation of Dunkirk. He said the Germans are desperately anxious for peace and the situation reminded him of that between the Soviet Union and Finland last January when as Minister at Stockholm he received intimations from the Russians that if only they could have some degree of victory, this would be welcome as for settlement of the war and the sequel had so proved.