File No. 860d.00/102
The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Reading)
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: I have received a report from the American Minister at Stockholm dated April 19, 1918, giving the text of a memorandum handed that day by the Minister of Great Britain at Stockholm to the Finnish Chargé d’Affaires to the effect that the British Government is prepared to recognize provisionally the de facto independence of Finland, pending final settlement of the question by the peace congress, in accordance with the principle of self-determination, provided certain conditions are complied with.
The American Minister at Stockholm has been informed that this Government is not prepared at present to take any action looking to the independence of Finland, and I have thought that you will be interested to know our attitude.
I am [etc.]