Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The British Commonwealth, Eastern Europe, the Far East, Volume III

121.5460D/100a: Telegram

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

Washington, July 10, 1943—9 p.m.

112. A memorandum reading as follows is being handed today to the Finnish Minister:

“All personnel of the offices of the American Military and of the American Naval Attaché in Helsinki have been withdrawn by the American Government as, under present circumstances, there does not appear to be an adequate basis for contact between Finnish and American armed forces of the character involved in the further maintenance of Military and Naval Attachés in the capitals of the respective countries.

It would therefore be appreciated if the Finnish Government would withdraw at the earliest possible moment Captain Grondahl and Lieutenant Stenback and any other Finnish nationals employed in the office of the Finnish Military Attaché in Washington, and if such personnel would immediately cease their official activities in the United States.

The Department of State will be of all appropriate assistance to the Finnish Legation in arranging the departure of these officials from the United States.”

The Minister is being informed orally that no political significance is to be attached to the timing of the Department’s action in this matter, that our action represents merely an effort to bring into line with present conditions the scope of the activities of the Finnish Legation in Washington, and that it is not our intention to give any publicity to this action. You may repeat this information orally to the Foreign Office.”⁹⁹

Please also address an appropriate communication to the Foreign Office informing it of the formal withdrawal of all remaining personnel of the offices of the American Military and Naval attachés accredited to the Finnish Government, effective immediately, and inform Stockholm of your action.

Hull

99. In a note dated July 12, 1943, the Chargé in Finland informed the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the United States Government’s decision and requested that the names of Lt. Col. Aage Woldike, Comdr. Walter L. Heiberg, and Lt. Allan L. Rice be deleted from the Finnish Diplomatic List (121.5460D/104).