740.00116 E. W./11–2645: Telegram
The Chargé in Finland ( Hulley ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6 p.m.]
724. My 706, Nov 19.66 Several sources, including Foreign Office reports Soviets very angry at release of four war responsibles, especially Tanner. Report circulating is that Zhdanov called in Paasikivi and Kukkonen and said release amounted to spitting in face of Soviet Union. This reaction doubtless is closely connected with protest meetings at Exhibition Hall and in many workers’ organization[s] last week. This Soviet attempt to influence Finnish action stems from interpretation of article 13 of armistice (Soviets undoubtedly regard release as indicating lenient attitude of court which they feel will govern its eventual decisions).
Ryti and Kivimaki reported to have expressed belief that reaction to release of four accused would result in more severe final sentence than would otherwise have been case.
- Not printed; in this telegram the Chargé in Finland reported that the War Responsibility Court adjourned on November 17, 1945, and issued an interim injunction setting four of the accused war responsibles free until the court resumed session. Four others of the accused remained imprisoned (740.00116 E. W./11–1945).↩