740.0011 European War 1939/14951: Telegram
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The Minister of Finland came in at my request. I said that, in the light of the friendly relations that have always existed between this [Page 62] country and Finland and the extreme efforts this country has always exerted to aid Finland when in trouble, or threatened with trouble, I wished to express my gratification that Finland had regained possession of its formerly held territory.
I then said that I thought I had observed some reports to the effect that General Mannerheim in a recent statement or address had indicated that Finland would fight on until the end of the war between Germany and other countries, and that naturally I felt justified in making inquiry regarding this in view of our friendly relations and of our concern about the peace of the world, which is so seriously threatened in a permanent way.
The Minister proceeded to make general comment in a vague way about the fight of the Finns to get back their territory, in the midst of which I inquired whether and to what extent the Finns had advanced into Russian territory. The Minister drew out his maps and showed that in one sector they had advanced quite a little into Russian territory. In answer to a repeated question the Minister finally expressed it as his personal opinion that the Finns were only occupying this Russian territory for the purpose of safeguarding their own territory, and that his Government did not intend to fight on through the war to its conclusion.
The Minister made some reference to general conditions throughout the world and I referred to Hitler’s plan of world conquest, both on land and sea. I said that Hitler’s chief objective at present was to conquer Great Britain and get control of the seas, which would be utterly disastrous to us and to all peaceful nations. I referred to the tremendous efforts made by this country during the early and middle 1930’s to preserve peace and to discourage war of any kind. Despite all that we had done in this regard Berlin and Tokyo had deliberately prepared for world-wide conquest. They had planned to use barbaric methods in their dealing with all conquered peoples, and to set up a military despotism to dominate the economic, political and other relations between Germany and conquered or dominated countries. I proceeded further to say that the last thing this country wanted was to get into trouble with any other country, but that when it sees world peace increasingly undermined each day by Hitler operating according to an avowed plan of conquest and destruction of everything worthwhile, this country could not remain quiet from the standpoint of its own self-defense.
The Minister at this point interrupted and proceeded to advance a series of relatively inconsequential and minor arguments against communism and Stalin, and to indict Russia for many unjust acts against Finland during past years. Of an emotional nature he could scarcely control himself while he excoriated Stalin, and communism and their [Page 63] injuries to Finland. I finally interrupted him and said that we have a record of opposition to communism with which we are pleased; that this record will always be continued in the future; that Hitler instead of peacefully undertaking to disseminate Hitlerism, which is very closely related to communism and Fascism, proceeded for more than six years to assemble the greatest army and air force, et cetera, that has ever been organized in history. He did not do this for the purpose of defending himself, but for the avowed purpose of conquering peaceful nations everywhere and securing control of the high seas, without geographical limit. I emphasized that this danger from Hitler’s program and movements is real and imminent, and that, of course, this country recognizes it and is proceeding to act in self-defense against it. I stated that this country would not be spending fifteen or twenty-five or forty billion dollars to resist Hitler in his world march of conquest except to preserve the lives, the liberties and the free institutions of our country and other peaceful countries, which are equally destined, together with the conquered nations of Europe, to fall into the clutches of Hitler. I then added that no desperado, individual or official, has ever been known voluntarily to abandon his occupation, and that Hitler will not stop until somebody stops him by force; that it is equally clear now to all rational countries that when Hitler is stopped, and I firmly believe that he will be stopped, some organized system involving the use of navies and aircraft, et cetera, must be established to preserve the peace of the world against uprisings or movements of conquest by international bandits and outlaws of the one hundred percent stripe of Hitler. I went on to say that this long view is the only view for peace-loving nations to adopt if the world is to offer anything worthwhile to any country in the future; that this course of planning to preserve the peace of the world following the present war is the only course that will make life worthwhile in my country, in Finland and in all other peacefully-inclined nations.
I casually remarked at one appropriate point that if and when Hitler is stopped, as I previously stated I firmly believe[d] he would be, this country may show a far greater and more important interest in Finland than it has at any time in the past.
The Minister at one time inquired if we were going to war with Germany, to which I replied that Hitler would like an answer to that question, and the Minister said that that was true. I added that we have shown considerable interest in the situation relating to resistance to Hitler, and if the Minister had any doubt about that, Hitler would assure him, if he should so desire.
The Minister showed absolutely no concern about anything except to reiterate his hostility to Russia and after one of his excoriations [Page 64] of Russia he inquired what I would have Finland do. This was after I had requested information as to her future course in the war, and after I had made it clear that real and permanent peace could not be hoped for except by stopping Hitler and establishing leadership and control by peacefully-inclined nations such as the United States, Great Britain, Finland and other countries. I replied to his question by stating that there was nothing more in my mind than I had very definitely indicated.
The Minister became very cordial near the end of the conversation, much of which was repetition on his part and it was agreed that our countries were still friends.