740.0011 European War 1939/11989: Telegram
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:18 p.m.]
182. Minister for Foreign Affairs told me this morning that present German troop movements under transit agreement of last September86 will involve perhaps 30,000 men in both directions as contrasted with a total of perhaps 15,000 moved previously under the agreement. He said a force of approximately one division is now moving south and somewhat larger force has landed at various Finnish ports to move north. Witting mentioned that number passing through Sweden since German-Swedish transit agreement87 now runs to about 300,000. I inquired whether force now traveling southward was certain to embark for Germany or whether it would remain in Finland. He answered that it was expected to embark and that thus far German Government had not requested Finnish Government’s permission for it to remain in Finland, which permission he said would be required. He intimated, however, that Germans might intend to take station from which they could threaten Murmansk Railroad.
I inquired specifically whether Finnish Government had received assurance from German Government of cooperation against Soviet Union in case of German-Soviet hostilities. He said that there had been no discussion whatever with the Germans regarding eventuality of war between Germany and Soviet Union. Nevertheless, he said also that when Finnish Government had pointed out to Germans that former’s situation might be “compromised” vis-à-vis Soviet Union by present increased German troop movements in Finland, Germans had assured Finns that they need have no anxiety on this score.
The Minister told me in confidence that some 30,000 reservists had been called to the colors in Finland day before yesterday, making total number of effectives now approximately 100,000. This had been done because of the necessity of precautions against any sudden Russian thrust across Southern Finland to Hango and garrison in Hango leased area as well as need of increased defense in Salla area along railroad there. Even so, he said, it should be remembered that Sweden had called 100,000 men to colors as early as April last, and had now called more, Finland having thus saved 2 months’ cost of increased army strength.
On the general situation Witting said that in higher official strata in countries concerned, there was confidence that there would be no [Page 34] Soviet-German conflict in near future but that in all lower strata, civil and military, there was at least equal confidence that such conflict would take place. He was frankly uncertain on this subject and in the dark. So far as Finland is concerned, however, this country was so situated that it might easily be involved in any such war and whether it would be or not was not in the power of the Finns to decide.
Repeated to Moscow.
- The Minister in Finland summarized the provisions of this transit agreement of September 22, 1940, in his telegram No. 416, September 26, 1940, Foreign Relations, 1940, vol. i, p. 347.↩
- The Swedish Riksdag had agreed on June 21, 1940, to the passage of German troops and materials.↩