740.0011 European War 1939/24506a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld)
191. You should seek an interview if possible with President Ryti, otherwise with Witting, and state orally that under instructions you wish to point out that the American Government is gravely concerned at increasing indications of German pressure on Finland for participation of Finnish armed forces in fresh military operations. The tolerance which the American Government has shown heretofore in [Page 82] the numerous instances of provocation of it by the Finnish Government reflects the residue of the good-will for Finland which existed in the United States at the time Finland began its co-belligerence with our enemies. In the face, however, of a step by the Finnish Government which the United States could only consider as clearly affecting its own vital interests and in no wise promoting any legitimate Finnish interest for the future, our existing relations with Finland precarious as they already are would have to be reconsidered.
In the recent past there were indications from Finnish sources that the military objectives in view did not extend beyond those areas already encompassed. A public declaration to that effect or any other statement which would clarify Finland’s intentions would necessarily do much to strengthen our present day-to-day relationships with the Finnish Government which hang by such a slender thread.