860D.48/1–2745: Telegram
The Secretary of Mission in Finland ( Higgs ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 28—6:14 a.m.]
20. Department’s 4, January 25, 8 p.m. Possibilities of extending relief activities to Finland were discussed this morning with supply Minister Jutila, a former Rockefeller scholar. He furnished following information:
- 1.
- Most urgent needs are footwear and clothing for children, vitamin concentrates and medicines for children and expectant mothers, footwear and clothing for general population in order named.
- 2.
- Distribution can be undertaken by a Finnish organization, Finnish Relief,22 which is already in existence. It was formed during the Winter War and has as I understand functioned to full satisfaction of foreign relief organizations since then. It works directly under the Prime Minister and is non-political. With disbanding of the “brothers in arms” organization23 several days ago its activities will necessarily be greatly expanded.
- 3.
- Observers from American relief organizations would be welcomed and accorded every facility.
- 4.
- American assistance is greatly desired.
I repeatedly cautioned Minister Jutila in my conversation that supply and shipping difficulties probably would restrict any American relief program in Finland to more or less of a token character. I also told him that while my instruction did not cover this point I thought it would be wise until further discussion indicated definite feasibility of American relief activities in Finland that no publicity be given this matter as reaction on Finnish public would undoubtedly raise their hopes far beyond realities of situation. He readily agreed to keep matter confidential until we should agree upon publicity.
In latter connection I feel we should bear in mind that as some of my recent and immediately following telegrams indicate there is something in nature of a political crisis in Finland at moment arising out of Allied Control Commission pressure on Finnish Government to take action against certain “fascistic elements” in Finland.24 The announcement at this time of extension of American relief activities to Finland might be interpreted by Finns as American support for [Page 639] Finland vis-à-vis the USSR with possible consequences of a serious nature. I sense objection however to continuing efforts to work out with Finnish Government in confidence an American Belief program for Finland. I accordingly assented to Minister Jutila’s suggestion that he discuss my conversation with him in confidence with head of Finnish Belief,25 also a former Rockefeller Foundation man.
Regarding initiation of program, et cetera, I believe local circumstances would permit of immediate initiation of relief activities as the need already exists and Finnish organization for distribution is already in being. Principal obstacle would seem to be in shipping connections. Only two routes appear to be open under present circumstances: via the USSR and via Sweden. If Gothenburg safe conduct traffic continues this seems most satisfactory route. Medicines and vitamin concentrates might however be shipped in fairly satisfactory quantities to Sweden by ATC26 from UK. I am not in position to judge possibility of shipment through the USSR. As to American personnel needed, a representative of President’s War Belief Control Board and possibly of Bed Cross would seem on basis of previous experience by American relief organizations working in Finland to be sufficient, as little more than liaison officers experienced in relief matters are required.
- Suomen Huolto, a central body for Government authorities and private associations in dealing with all kinds of humanitarian relief work, founded July 30, 1941.↩
- A war veterans and fraternal organization devoted largely to carrying out relief activities among widows and orphans of servicemen. It was affiliated with the “comrades in arms” organization. Both organizations were disbanded at the request of the Allied Control Commission as being Fascist orientated.↩
- With regard to this political crisis, see telegrams 16 of January 25, and 25 of January 30, 1945, from Helsinki, pp. 598 and 601, respectively.↩
- Heikki Varis.↩
- Air Transport Command, United States Army Air Force.↩