123 Sch 62/472: Telegram
The Chargé in Finland (McClintock) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:50 a.m.]
1249. Headlines in today’s papers emphasize two aspects of Minister Schoenfeld’s departure, first that he will return soon and second that his trip to United States is “without significance”. First headline is based on his alleged statement to Social Demokraten in Stockholm on the 17th and second seems to have been a directive from censorship here. Since headlines in Finland today are not slogans of news but of what Government wishes people to think this slant on Minister’s departure is significant.
Should Department wish to suggest any other interpretation of Mr. Schoenfeld’s return to Washington we feel that possibly American Finnish language transcription via British Broadcasting Corporation next Thursday and daily news bulletin prepared by Press Section of our Legation at Stockholm might be used.
[Page 115]Even in informed circles wishful thought is being expressed that Mr. Schoenfeld, who “understands Finland” will present Finnish case in Washington in best light and that following this “explanation” there will be an improvement in Finnish-American relations.
We shall continue to say that we do not know when the Minister will return and that significance of his trip must be inferred not from headlines but from facts of Finland’s position in the war.