File No. 860d.00/251

The Consul at Helsingfors (Haynes) to the Secretary of State1

[Telegram]

70. Diet adjourned. Claiming Finland a republic according to a decision Diet 6th last December, republicans voted down a new constitution, whereupon monarchists revert to 1772 constitution, by paragraph numbered 38 of which Diet will elect king at its reassembling first week in September. Sixty per cent population republican, and internal trouble predicted by reason of doubtful [omission]. Anti-German events in Russia, England’s recent note to Finland explaining Murman activities although without Finnish press comment, and successes western front render more than ever improbable Finland’s entry into the world war. Practically assured Adolf of Mecklenburg-Schwerin will be selected.

Haynes
  1. Sent via the Legation in Sweden (No. 2650).