860D.00/7–1345: Telegram
The United States Representative in Finland (Hamilton) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 14—6:44 a.m.]
368. Diet interpellation of June 2946 was motivated by desire to prod Government to action to punish war criminals and to remove from public and private offices persons prominently identified with Finland’s wartime collaboration with Germany. In telegram 128, March 23, 1 pointed out that one difficult task of new Cabinet and Diet was action against war responsibles. In 3–month period since convening on April 6 of new Diet neither Government nor Diet had taken any substantial steps against war responsibles, Paasikivi program presented to Diet April 19 (see my 183, April 25) called for some action but only in general terms. Illustrating lack of action, Ryti and Rangell47 continued to hold most responsible positions Bank of Finland though retirement predicted and urged publicly many months. With typical Finnish fixity of idea they did not budge and Government apparently found no means of forcing retirement. Government was waiting for report of Hornborg Committee48 investigating question war responsibles. Demands in press for Government action were not vehement but were steady. Vapaa Sana took occasion on June 23, fourth anniversary of Soviet-German war, to publish strong attack on Finnish war politicians. This continued several days.
During May and June arms caches were discovered in various parts of Finland. This caused Russians to send two notes to Finnish Government, the last in latter part of June being quite sharp. During past 6 weeks Russians made new and to Finns surprising economic demand regarding prompt return to Soviet Union of property from Karelia and giving over as war booty wood from forests purchased by Germans in northern Finland. Whether these economic demands [Page 616] are related to question of Finnish action on war responsibles I do not know. They would create unsettled psychological situation likely to influence Finnish Government to action such as that reflected in interpellation.
Against this background movement developed toward end June for Diet interpellation to Government. First public knowledge of movement was given in press of June 27. That movement was unexpected to Diet and Government is clear from fact that Diet planned to adjourn just 2 days later on June 29. Liberal Diet members of Swedish Party are commonly reported to have started movement. Since meeting early in June Swedish Party had moved to Left.
When Finn Cabinet first heard of interpellation Prime Minister was not certain it constituted proper procedure. Interpellations normally carry implication of criticism of Cabinet. When Paasikivi perceived interpellation was strongly backed he decided best course was for Government to go along. Generally believed members Cabinet participated in drafting text of interpellation as it finally appeared. Several public meetings took place in which Government was asked to take action against war politicians. One such meeting attended by about 1000 occurred in Helsinki. Information meagre as to how numerous, widespread or spontaneous these meetings were.
Following presentation of interpellation in [on] July [June] 29, Government replied through Paasikivi and Leino49 on July 4 and Diet accepted Government’s position.50 Rightist speeches during debate and Rightist editorials indicated some clinging to defense of war politicians though majority speeches and editorials supported Government position.
According Stockholm report published in Finnish press July 7, Moscow radio in discussing interpellation stated that a crop cannot be expected until weeds have been pulled out; that Finnish Fascist elements have not yet been liquidated; and that one either makes a radical cleansing or takes the consequences.
Interpellation has already had some significant results. The President accepted resignation of Ryti and Rangell from Bank of Finland on June 29. It seems clear that known imminence of interpellation finally produced action. Rangell has also resigned as chairman Finnish Sports Federation. His selection to this position in June occasioned much criticism. Following police of army abolished. Resignation General Heinricha as Commander in Chief Finnish Army [Page 617] accepted. Lieutenant General Airo resigned as Army Quartermaster General. Press predicted resignation Poijarvi Director General of Finnish School Administration. During last days of Diet there was rushed through law permitting election of some new personnel to Finnish high court which under article 59 of constitution is for trial [of] Cabinet members and certain other high officials. Vapaa Sana called new law only half measure because remaining personnel of court was not changed. It also did not like new selections made by Diet. It stated all will watch what high court does and it enjoined it not to betray the people.
Diet interpellation and Government’s reply represent another skillful step by Leftist elements toward action against war politicians. Trial of some high officials for illegal acts is now clearly envisaged. What number will be cannot be predicted though Paasikivi referred to only the comparatively few. In addition to those against whom legal charges are envisaged, number of prominent persons identified with Finland’s war policies have already retired or resigned from key positions. How many more will be expected to resign cannot be predicted. Measuring yard stick for this category is difficult to define. Preamble of interpellation mentioned expressly Bank of Finland, state university, army educational institutions and administrative fields in general including business interprises constituting key positions in Finnish economy. Communist Interior Minister Leino’s public disclosure in Diet story of arms caches startled Finnish people. I learn from good sources secreting of arms has been widespread. Such action has been most ill advised. By it Finnish Government and especially army made themselves vulnerable to legitimate criticism and agitation for cleansing steps gets strong additional argument. At same time anti-Russian elements will be weakened and collaboration with Soviet Union probably made easier.
Repeated to Moscow as my 88.
- On this date the opposition asked the government what steps it had taken, or intended to take, to bring persons compromised by their role in the past war “to legal account.” It asked the government further if it was willing to bring “its whole influence and authority” to bear in forcing the removal from key positions in both public and private life of persons with Fascist and German sympathies.↩
- Johann W. Rangell, who had been Prime Minister of Finland from January 4, 1941, to March 5, 1943.↩
- A committee under the chairmanship of the historian Dr. Erik Hsornborg, established to investigate the causes of the war with the Soviet Union. After 7 months of deliberation, a report was finally drawn up in August 1945.↩
- Yrjő Leino, Minister of the Interior.↩
- In his reply the Prime Minister said that the Government agreed that the question of responsibility for the past war must be clarified quickly. The Government, he said, could not punish mistakes of policy, but it was prepared to punish clearly unconstitutional acts. The Government also agreed that compromised persons should be removed from public life, but it hoped that these persons would withdraw voluntarily.↩