740.00119 European War 1939/1007: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkeyx (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State 85
[Received May 21—4:53 p.m.]
456. For President, Secretary and Under Secretary. Finnish Minister86 called on me this morning and told me present Axis–Soviet front in Finland substantially follows Finnish-Soviet frontier of October 1939 on the Karelian Isthmus and along Svir River from Lake Ladoga to Lake Onega thence along west shore of Lake Onega to head of Lake thence along railroad to Nadvoitsk87 thence north from 50 to 100 miles west of Murmansk railroad. He said total number German troops in all Finland at present time numbered about six divisions nearly all of which are operating or stationed north of Lake Onega. Line on Karelian Isthmus and along Svir River and Lake Onega is held by Finnish troops.
Minister said his Government desired a permanent frontier with Soviets which would be strategically defensible and line now held south of Nadvoitsk would constitute such a frontier. He expressed doubt a definite frontier could be established other than at a general peace conference but remarked present line was substantially frontier Finland would seek. He clearly indicated exact frontier was subject to negotiation provided lines agreed upon was strategically defensible.
After Minister had informed me of foregoing and had emphasized his desire for absolute secrecy particularly in respect of his disclosure of number of German troops now in Finland and their position I inquired of him as to whether his Government was prepared [Page 60] to make a separate peace with Soviet to which he replied that in his personal opinion it was but only on basis of a strategically defensible frontier.
I then inquired as to whether he had received specific instructions from his Government or from Ryti, Tanner, Erkko or perhaps Paasikivi88 to impart foregoing to me. Although he denied having received any suggestions from anyone I am inclined to view that he would not have approached me on this subject without instructions from his Government.
As Minister apparently expected a reply to his approach I assured him that I would report what he said to my Government.
From nature of Minister’s remarks I am reasonably satisfied that Finnish Government would welcome any steps Department might see fit to take with object of ascertaining terms on which Soviet Union would be prepared to make a separate peace with Finland.