Office of the Historian

860D.00/979: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Sweden (Greene)

Washington, November 19, 1942—9 p.m.

1015. We approve your discussing the matter in question with persons mentioned in your 3266, November 18,54 as well as Erkko should you see him during visit mentioned in Helsinki’s no. 1119 November 18.55

For your information in foregoing connection and for repetition to Helsinki as our no. 229:

“Your 1120, November 18.

“We had intended that you should convey the impression of something less direct than ‘foreign pressure’ in carrying out our 225, November 16. Hence we desired merely to make known in an informal way to such Finns as might be concerned over the course of relations with us that, if the Finnish Government has any real desire to improve relations with us, the continuation of Witting in office is one of the effective bars thereto.

“Referring last sentence your first paragraph we suggest you keep your contacts with Witting to absolute minimum anyway.

“We have not overlooked points made in your second paragraph.

“Answers to questions suggested in your last paragraph are: (1) We do not wish to suggest what the successor’s qualifications should be; but they should be obvious to any Finn desirous of improving relations with us; (2) We are open to Finnish suggestions as to the positive and practical basis for rapprochement but have no intention of making any move ourselves except possibly in the negative manner indicated in our 225.”

Hull
  1. Not printed; the Chargé had suggested that he might discuss the Department’s attitude toward the Foreign Minister of Finland with Jarl Axel Wasastjerna, the Minister of Finland in Sweden, and with S. J. Söderblom, the Chief of the Political Affairs Section of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (800D.00/979).↩
  2. Not printed. Eljas Erkko had told Minister Schoenfeld of his intention to visit 4 or 5 days in Stockholm. He had not mentioned the purpose of his trip, but it was thought possible that he might get in touch with the Swedish General Staff, or perhaps with the Russians. (740.0011 European War 1939/25788)↩