File No. 860d.00/209
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Sweden (Morris)
962. Your 2457, July 11, 5 p.m. Kerensky is not coming to the United States. Department has telegraphed London as follows:1 [Page 802]
Department believes that the accumulation of food in Finland, the delivery of which would be contingent upon the Finnish people’s breaking with the Germans, is inadvisable and would seem to imply that this Government is interested in Finland only in so far as it will serve as a pawn in the game of war against the Central powers. As the Finnish government seems to have committed itself definitely to cooperate with Germany and is furthermore insisting at this time in taking over Russian territory, this Government believes a clear decision should be reached to send no foodstuffs to Finland.
You may tell General Mannerheim that this Government is interested in his views and has always desired to maintain friendly relations with the people of Finland. This friendly purpose is based not only on an understanding of the aspirations of the Finnish people but also upon a regard and consideration for the many loyal American citizens of Finnish origin now in this country.
- Under date of July 6.↩