800.20260D/3: Telegram
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 3—1:15 p.m.]
639. My 638, today.19 Upon receipt of Finnish circular note August 1, we suspended distribution of our daily news bulletin pending [Page 78] opportunity for informal discussion with Foreign Office. We also suspended distribution of Finnish edition of Flying Fortress pamphlet which had been mailed at daily rate of 200.
Gleeck today called on Chief of Press Section of Foreign Office21 to discuss circular note and was told orally that notwithstanding terms of note order was intended to apply only to books, pamphlets and other more substantial pieces of propaganda. Numelin said specifically that our news bulletin was not affected and that he like other members of Foreign Office was anxious to see its continued distribution. Gleeck handed Numelin copy of Flying Fortress pamphlet which he promised to submit to censor.
Numelin repeated usual expressions of solicitude that diplomatic relations with us be continued and alluded to severe German pressure on Finland citing as example forthcoming visit of German press delegation including Dr. Schmidt of German Foreign Office22 arranged at instigation of local German Press Attaché.23 Numelin mentioned also that Germans were not pleased by his membership on editorial board of periodical Le Nord devoted to non-political subjects concerning Scandinavian countries.
- Not printed; it transmitted a translation of Finnish circular note of July 30, received by the Legation August 1 regarding prior authorization of Finnish authorities for circulation of foreign political propaganda (800.20260D/2).↩
- R. Numelin.↩
- Paul Schmidt, Director of the Press Department of the German Foreign Ministry, 1939–45.↩
- H. Metzger.↩