860D.00/1014: Telegram
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:22 p.m.]
1238. At his request I called on Foreign Minister Witting this morning. His attitude was much unusual [as usual?] and not personally lacking in friendliness. He repeated standing theme so often previously reported regarding Finnish policy including statement that it remained unchanged and free of any political obligation to Germans though preponderantly influenced by dependence on Germany and German controlled Europe for 94 percent of essential imports. To my suggestion that such passive policy in fast movement of powerful forces now involved in war was highly dangerous to Finland his answer was that life itself is dangerous and that physical self-preservation was first requirement of small people who could not hope to influence events in larger field.
He asked me to explain when I reached Washington “facts” regarding Finland which he gave me credit for understanding. I intimated regret that he and I had found it difficult to understand each other to which his answer was that he understood our point of view very well. To my inquiry whether there would be any desire to take a more active line Witting said he could not speak for future saying this possibility would depend on events over which Finland had no control. Witting did not rise to my suggestion that if Finland had [Page 112] any problems to discuss with us they might be sympathetically considered if brought to our attention and contented himself substantially with line above indicated.
Unlike President Ryti, Witting did not express any desire regarding my possible return to Helsinki. Nor did he suggest any interest in interpretation of fact that I have been ordered home for consultation.