740.0011. European War 1939/19999: Telegram
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:55 p.m.]
181. Jarnefelt,68 former Finnish Minister at Washington, visited me yesterday. He said he had opposed his Government’s policy at time of outbreak of war with U. S. S. R. last summer and had thought it would be wise to await developments before committing Finland. He had disagreed also with view then held by President Ryti and other leaders here that Soviet regime would collapse in matter of weeks under German attack. Now, however, things had gone so far that it would be most difficult to turn back especially since Germans constantly betray concern about Finnish policy by repeated inquiry whether Finns intend to make separate peace.
Jarnefelt intimated Finnish policy might indeed change if German military position deteriorates seriously but in that event change in [Page 50] policy might also involve revolution in this country which would sweep away many present leaders.
When in answer to his inquiry, I stated with conviction that Germany would be defeated by American action and that our war effort against Germany would not be deflected by necessity of waging war in Far East, Jarnefelt said it was realized both here and in Germany that this was American strategy. Result thereof he said would be to make northern theater, particularly Murmansk area, very important and might easily bring Finland into conflict with United States. I expressed agreement with this view.
Jarnefelt strongly deprecated local talk of so-called new strategic frontier saying that air power had made any such frontier meaningless for Finland. He spoke similarly of war slogan that Bolshevism must be destroyed saying Bolshevism was Russian internal affair resulting from conditions caused by First World War and that it had manifestly been succeeded by strong national resurgence on [in] Russia quite apart from fact that Finnish peasant and worker were not easily persuaded to accept alien political ideas.
He said, however, it is still quite impossible to obtain rational hearing for such views which are received with scorn and indignation. People here, he said, are divided as they were in 1918 between those on German side and those who look to West and new leadership of Finland; above mentioned would emerge from latter category. …
When I suggested that recent Finnish policy had appearance of gamble on German victory without alternative line of retreat Jarnefelt did not deny it. He seemed to accept my further suggestion that it appeared to be necessary for Finland to get back to strong moral position it held in eyes of world during war of 1939–40 and that to do so more would be required than official claim which was already wearing thin and almost abandoned that Finland is following independent line. To do this, however, Jarnefelt pointed out it was now extremely difficult considering position into which Finland’s relations with Germany had drifted.
… Though he wondered whether present war may not have produced vindictive spirit previously lacking among Russians towards Finns, he said his experience in Russia indicated that Russians felt no such hatred for Finns as latter feel for Russians. I gathered he feels there must be an accommodation with Russians on reasonable terms.
Whether our warnings and intimations official and unofficial in recent months have had effect on Finnish policy should appear more clearly in next few weeks. If Finns refrain from trying to interfere with northern supply route via Murmansk railroad by cutting line at Sorokka, for instance, this will be seen by time that [thaw?] sets in since otherwise such operation must be postponed till summer. [Page 51] Should they so refrain it will be due in great part to acceptance by Finnish Government and High Command of views like those expressed by Jarnefelt and to him yesterday. Meanwhile Brazilian Chargé d’Affaires70 tells me he has it on good authority that Finnish military have always concluded Sorokka is now too strong to be taken even by Finns. Latest Finnish communiqués continue to mention bombing of railroad south of that place.