740.00119 European War 1939/1374: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:18 p.m.]
242. Your 183, March 31, 5 p.m. I outlined to Molotov last evening the considerations set forth in your 174, March 2748 and gave him a memorandum containing paragraphs numbers 1 to 6 of the telegram under reference. Molotov inquired whether the American Government had given consideration as to how contact would be arranged between the Soviet and Finnish Governments if such contact were considered advisable by both parties. I stated that although I had not received advice on this question I felt sure that my Government had some practicable plan in mind. Molotov asked whether it was intended that he should understand from the information furnished that the Finnish Government desired to establish contact with the Soviet Government and initiate negotiations. I replied that according to my information the question of actual contact had not been raised with the Finnish Government, that we apparently proposed to take up this question but desired first to ascertain whether in the event the Finnish Government were prepared to participate in a direct exchange of views the Soviet Government would be similarly disposed. Molotov stated he would consult with his Government and communicate again with me.
Molotov asked whether we had any definite information, aside from the indirect information referred to, that the Finns were interested in the restoration of peace. I replied that the fact that the Finnish Foreign Minister had inquired as to possible basis of the proposed conversations gave me to believe that the Finnish [leaders?] are definitely interested.
Molotov recalled that the American Government was aware of the Soviet minimum terms and inquired [whether] in the estimation of the American Government such terms would be acceptable to the Finns or whether the Finns would be able to propose terms that would be acceptable to the Russians. I stated that it was my personal opinion that if we had thought that the Soviet terms were totally impossible, we probably would not be pursuing the matter any further and that we must feel that there was a possible basis for negotiations.
In conclusion I emphasized the great importance we gave to the question of the abandonment by Finland of its association with Germany. Molotov replied that “this was certainly desirable”.