740.0011 European War 1939/18828a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld)

23. Please make occasion to see Witting and state that you wish to convey to him the following as your views, based on information in your possession, because of his remarks of January 20 (your 58):30 [Page 30]

I.
You are fearful of Procopé’s interpretation of the underlying temper of the American press and public towards Finland. The public remembers that Finland disregarded America’s timely advice as to cessation of hostilities with Soviet Russia.
II.
Official opinion remains unchanged since my comments to the press of last November.31
III.
Our estimate of British attitude toward Finland at present is that it is stiffening in accordance with policy of ever closer cooperation with the Soviet Union. Finnish Government should not overlook natural effects of British policy on our own in questions affecting our common effort against the forces of Axis aggression.

Hull
  1. See footnote 28, above.
  2. Concerning comments made by Secretary of State Cordell Hull in November 1941, see telegram No. 226, November 3, 1941, to the Minister in Finland, and memoranda by Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles of November 13 and 18, 1941, Foreign Relations, 1941, vol. i, pp. 88, 99, and 106, respectively; and footnote 77, ibid., p. 107.