Office of the Historian

740.00119 European War 1939/1441: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Finland (McClintock)

Washington, May 7, 1943—6 p.m.

81. In view of the definite character of the reply which Ramsay gave you on April 10, we feel we have no satisfactory grounds for reopening with the Soviets the matter referred to in your 643, May 6. Conversely we know of no new developments from the Russian side which would justify our reopening the matter with the Finns. Accordingly, while we feel your suggestions in principle are well made, present circumstances are not such that we feel in a position to act on them.

With regard to your reference to responsibility on our part we do not feel that, in view of Ramsay’s reply, the maintenance of the present position involves any responsibility on our part for future developments but at the same time it may continue to have some restraining influence on the Finns.74

Hull
  1. In his telegram No. 659, May 8, 5 p.m. (740.00119 EW39/1444) the Chargé disclaimed having mentioned or referred to “responsibility on our part for future developments” in his telegram No. 643, supra. ↩