860D.00/998: Telegram
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:07 p.m.]
1194. I had occasion last night to speak to Paasikivi, Erkko and Swedish Minister73 along lines of your 225, November 16. Latter two had, of course, been previously informed as indicated in Stockholm’s telegram 3332, November 23.74 Paasikivi, however, did not intimate he had previous advice. He immediately showed that supply question, in respect of which he said Finland was so dependent on Germany, was uppermost in his mind. Both Paasikivi and Erkko [Page 104] made great point of fact that Finland had refrained and continued to refrain from move on Sorokka which they said could easily fall to Finnish arms and former said plainly that this restraint reflecting unwillingness of Finns to interfere with Murmansk railroad as well as their refusal to cooperate with Germans in operations against Leningrad were all to be interpreted as gesture vis-à-vis United States. I said supply question like many other problems could no doubt be advantageously discussed on Finnish initiative in due course but that immediate problem was to have in Finnish Foreign Office a point of contact meriting our confidence.
Paasikivi inquired as to standing of Procopé who is his protégé. I evaded discussion by returning to issue of Witting’s position. He asked if I had discussed Witting with President Ryti. I answered that I am, of course, entirely at President’s disposal should he wish to see me on this or any other topic. Paasikivi thanked me for frankly speaking about these matters. He gave me impression that he would lose no time in discussing them presumably with President and others intimating he would wish to talk with me again, later.
Erkko told me that on his return from Stockholm he had discussion at their request with Prime Minister Rangell, Finance Minister Tanner, and War Minister Walden and that unlike their attitude before these three men, especially Rangell, now saw necessity for reconsideration of Finland’s entire position. Erkko felt matters were beginning to “move.” He expected to have another talk with three mentioned and said he would wish to see me thereafter. While in Stockholm on his recent visit which was private and made on his own initiative Erkko said Swedish Foreign Minister77 had indicated plainly that Witting was not considered in Sweden to be adequate.
Erkko told me Germans had recently indicated their concern here regarding change in tone of Finnish press on such matters as democratic institutions of Finland, nonacceptance of so-called new order, and Nordic solidarity on all of which more pronounced position was being taken by Finnish papers.
Swedish Minister seemed to be informed of our attitude towards Witting but was characteristically cautious in his comment. He gave me to understand incidentally that idea mentioned in my 1169, November 27,78 regarding transfer of German and other refugees from Finland to Sweden was not looked upon with favor and would hardly have Swedish cooperation.