File No. 860d.00/209
The Minister in Sweden (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 12, 1 p.m.]
2457. I have had several conferences with General Mannerheim, Finnish patriot and former chief commander of the army in Finland and an important man in Finland. He is now disassociated with the government, telling me in confidence that he did not sympathize with the German movement in Finland, and was opposed to same. Prior to his taking command of the army in Finland he was a general in the Russian service.
He expressed his opinion to me that it was a very grave mistake of the Allies to receive Kerensky, and allow him to visit the Allied countries. He said Kerensky was disavowed by all Russian people of all classes, and the population felt that he helped bring the great troubles upon the Russian people. As cabled you before, this feeling seems to be prevalent with the best-informed people on Russia with whom I have conferred. In connection with this Livingston Phelps, Secretary of the Embassy at Vologda, has just arrived in Stockholm, and stated that the Allied Embassies in Vologda entertained this same view regarding Kerensky. I mention this because the Swedish newspapers announce that Kerensky intends going to America.
[Page 797]General Mannerheim informed me that Finland was entirely under German domination, and what the future would lead to was very doubtful. He personally felt that they would succeed in having some German prince as King. The Finns themselves are not strong enough, and have not been working sufficiently together, to attempt to oppose the enemy movement. …
Regarding intervention in Russia, General Mannerheim felt that this was the correct thing to do, and I am quoting his views because he is thought of in Russia not only as a great soldier but as a man whose judgment on questions has been found good. He impressed me with the fact that he speaks entirely in an unofficial way, not being connected with the Finnish government any longer.