740.0011 European War 1939/21467a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley)
196. According to a UP despatch date lined Stockholm, May 2,83 Soviet radio stations broadcasting on that date to the Finnish people promised Finland territorial gains if they would lay down their arms and conclude a separate peace.
In case an opportunity should present itself and unless you should perceive some objection to so doing, please inquire of the appropriate Soviet authorities (a) whether such Soviet broadcasts have been made to the Finnish people; (b) whether such broadcasts indicate that the Soviet Government has decided upon a definite policy with regard to Finland in case Finland should make a separate peace and (c) what this policy might be.
You may in your discretion point out that your inquiries are made with the purpose of ascertaining whether your Government might possibly be of some assistance in any efforts to induce Finland to make a separate peace.
The text of some of these broadcasts would be helpful.84
- The United Press despatch was carried in the Washington Post for May 3, 1942.↩
- Confirmation of such broadcasts from Moscow as were mentioned in the Finnish press was reported by the Minister in Finland in telegram No. 341, May 6, 1942. Here they were described as “offering Finland certain territorial compensations but stating that this country will have to pay war indemnity at very high figure.” (740.011 European War 1939/21446) The Finnish reception of these broadcasts was not encouraging.↩