811.20260D/6: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Finland (McClintock)
240. In a note dated today97 to the Finnish Chargé d’Affaires98 reference is made to a conversation on October 28 between Foreign Minister Witting and Minister Schoenfeld. The note continues:
“The American Minister inquired as to reasons why Finnish authorities had refused to approve for publication in Finland proofs of a proposed weekly bulletin with illustrations regarding the American war effort prepared by the Press Section of the American Legation in Stockholm. Professor Witting stated that it was the policy of the Finnish Government to keep such propaganda at a minimum. The American Minister pointed out to him that virulent Axis propaganda including an entire book attacking the United States was abundant in Finland.
The attitude taken by Professor Witting illustrated the practical impossibility of presenting in print in Finland the American war scene or the American political standpoints. It also points to the fact that discrimination in favor of Axis propaganda not only exists but cannot be eliminated under present conditions.
It had been the hope of the Department that the attitude of the Finnish Government in regard to this matter would be reversed. This, however, has not proved to be the case. Accordingly instructions are being issued by Mr. Hull to the American Legation in Helsinki to cease immediately the distribution of information of all types to the Finnish public.
In view of the foregoing, the Chargé d’Affaires is requested to have stopped immediately upon receipt of this note any further activities of the Finnish Information Center in New York and of the Finnish Legation’s personnel in the field of releases, pamphlets, public addresses, books, et cetera. Hereafter the Finnish Legation is requested to make or release no statements for public consumption in the United States except such oral statements as may be required to reply to specific inquiries from American press representatives. Instructions [Page 116] being issued to the American Legation in Helsinki require that that Legation follow a similar practice in Finland.”
Please repeat to Stockholm for its guidance.