File No. 860d.00/258
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 22, 10.55 a.m.]
362. I am cabling to the American Legation, Stockholm, for publication in Finnish newspaper there, appeal from exiled Finns to their countrymen to enlist against Germany. As Finnish independence never acknowledged by us Finland is still constructively part of Russia. If you approve please cable following to the American Legation, Stockholm, for publication in connection with aforesaid appeal:
In connection with above I desire to state to all liberty-loving Finns on behalf of the American Government and on behalf of the [Page 804] hundreds of thousands of Finns residing in America that it is my sincere hope and conviction that the defeat of Germany about which there can be no reasonable doubt and the success of the Allied cause will result in an independent Finland. I make this statement without reservation because the main issue of this war is the right of peoples to dispose of themselves and the Finns are unquestionably a distinctive race with a glorious record and have preserved their language and laws and have not lost their identity notwithstanding their sufferings through a long period of years. It is my feeling that every Finn who now enlists against Germany becomes thereby a champion of Finnish independence. Francis, American Ambassador.
Finns make excellent soldiers and nearly 2,000 have enlisted under the British within the last month. I am convinced many of them would enlist in our army if convinced Allied victory meant Finnish independence. If possible Finnish legion should be organized in America and sent immediately to Vladivostok or Archangel to join Allied forces.