862.504/787: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Finland ( McClintock )
16. Following is text of memorandum handed to Counselor of Finnish Legation72 on January 28:
“Information has reached the American Government to the effect that the Nazi invaders of Norway intend to send a number of Norwegians from Norway to Finland to take part in work connected with the shipment of timber products from Finland.73
Any comment which the Finnish Government is able to furnish the American Government in connection with this matter would be of interest, as it is to be noted that any Norwegians going to Finland under such circumstances would be under compulsion from the invaders of their country.”
- Risto Solanko.↩
- The information was given to the Department by the Norwegian Embassy in a memorandum of January 25. According to this memorandum, Nazi authorities in Norway were planning to send 135 Norwegians to work in Finland, apparently with the intent to send timber to the Nazis at Kirkenes (northern Norway). The Norwegian Government viewed the project as a breach of international law, stating that, “If the Finnish Government tolerate such an undertaking, they become accessories to this crime”. The memorandum indicated that American intervention in Helsinki in this matter would be greatly appreciated by the Norwegian Government. (862.504/787)↩