Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, General: Economic and Social Matters, Volume II

500C.115 28th Conference/51: Telegram

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

Helsinki, February 11, 1944—5 p.m.
[Received February 11—4:23 p.m.]

122. Assistant Director of Political Department of Foreign Office asked me to call (see my 110, February 10 [8])³⁶ and made statement to me in following sense:

Finland had received invitation to ILO Conference with great satisfaction because it has always been considered in this country that international collaboration, both political and economic, is best means to secure permanent place [peace?] and justice. Furthermore, this, country has been particularly interested in ILO work and has been a member of Organization since 1919. In the future it intends to continue its participation.

Since, however, United States Government, whose hospitality the Conference is to enjoy, has intimated to Government of Finland that embarrassment might be caused by presence of Finnish representatives, Finland has decided accordingly that it will not send delegates; to Philadelphia.

Foreign Office official added that Minister Procopé would be instructed to report similarly to the Department.³⁷

I asked whether foregoing statement was a public declaration and was told that it was not but that newspapers and public opinion had: been greatly interested in this topic and that it would be necessary therefore to give press some explanation. No press release would be made until Minister Procopé had reported back completion of his; démarche. Foreign Office representative added that Finland was; still interested in ILO and wished to receive publications and reports, of the Organization which it would ordinarily receive as a member. He was uncertain about means by which these documents would be transmitted but believed that this would probably present no great problem.

Gullion

36. Not printed; the Chargé reported that he had informed the Assistant Director of the Political Bureau of the substance of the Department’s, telegram 18 of February 7, supra.
37. The Finnish Minister (Procopé) informed the Department orally on February 18 that he had written a letter to the ILO Office in Washington informing the Office of the decision of his Government not to send delegates to the Conference.