8601.00/495
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
Sir:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The first part of the enclosed memorandum1 describes the cordial relations between Estonians and Germans during the military administration which lasted for about three months following the capture of Tallinn by German forces on August 28, 1941 and the liberation of the country from Bolshevism. During this period, it is stated, the German military authorities, by their fair and correct conduct and supported by effective propaganda which stressed the circumstances [Page 448] that Germany had rescued Estonia from Bolshevism, that the future of the Estonian nation depended on a German victory over the Soviet Union and that it was therefore the sacred duty of every patriotic Estonian to cooperate with the Germans in the struggle against Russia for a New Europe where a place was reserved for Estonia, largely succeeded in winning the confidence and friendship of the grateful Estonians.
On December 5, 1941, it is pointed out, administrative power in Estonia was transferred from the military authorities to General Commissioner Lietzmann2 who was subordinated to the Reich Commissioner for Ostland in Riga,3 and at the same time the Estonian self-government was established under Dr. Mäe.4 From that time on things began to change.…
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The memorandum emphasizes the difficulties in the development of Estonian and German personal relations, recalling the historic rancor among Estonians toward the Baltic Germans who left the country before and during the Bolshevik régime.5 When the Germans liberated Estonia from the Bolsheviks, it was officially promised that the Baltic Germans would not return, but it is now evident that such promises were only eye-wash. In fact, Baltic Germans have returned in considerable numbers and have been put into important positions by the German administrative authorities. They are making the best of their opportunity to make it clear that the Estonians belong to an inferior race and are second class citizens. A sharp difference has been created between the assurances of German propaganda and real facts.…
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The memorandum concludes with the following comment:
“From the outset of the present German occupation, the Estonians have tried to find out what aims the Germans are striving for in the Baltic Countries and what possibilities there are in the present phase of history for friendly collaboration with the Germans. But the conviction has deepened from day to day during the past three quarters of a year that there is no cause for optimism on the basis of experience gained so far. There is no confidence among the people in the present German administration. When the Commissioner General gives assurance that he is holding nothing back from the Estonian people and that destiny has brought Germans into cooperation with the Estonians for the future good of the Estonian people, there are very few who believe his words, because it has been experienced that the acts of the new masters do not correspond with their promises. Pessimism has taken hold of all classes of society. The [Page 449] reason why this is not demonstrated more openly is the fact that the people are choosing the lesser of two evils. It would have been even worse to remain under Bolshevik domination and under existing circumstances there is only one real factor which can keep the Bolsheviks away—the German Army. The rise of sharp opposition to the German administration could not be disguised unless the danger of Bolshevism were hanging overhead. Opposition would naturally lead to similar bloody reprisals as in Norway, Holland, Czechoslovakia and in other occupied countries. The Estonian people are united at present. The various classes of society are drawn closer together than ever before.”
Respectfully yours,
- The Minister in Finland has summarized a lengthy memorandum prepared by Aleksander Varma, a former Estonian Minister in Finland, in the latter part of May 1942, which he received on July 6. The title in translation of this memorandum was: “Relations between Estonia and Germany after the Liberation of Estonia from Bolshevik Rule.” In this connection, see also footnote 8, p. 407.↩
- Not attached to file copy of this document.↩
- Karl Sigismund Litzmann, Reich Commissioner for Estonia.↩
- Heinrich Lohse.↩
- Hjalmar Mäe.↩
- See Foreign Relations, The Soviet Union, 1933–1939, p. 963, footnote 46.↩