File No. 860d.00/261
The Consul at Helsingfors (Haynes) to the Secretary of State1
[Received August 22, 7.35 p.m.]
74. In order to ameliorate Finnish semidistrust of America because of the requisitioning of foodstuffs on board ships in America, nonrecognition of independence, and Murman irritation, would it be expedient to declare promptly in the Swedish and Finnish press the friendly feeling of the Allies to this country and their desire, willingness to supply food to northwest Finland provided that Germans leave there, the territory fed to be increased as the German forces are removed? This savors of no intrigue or buying friendship but if effected immediately and before election German monarch or before beginning of military operations, it would feed the starving innocent, redeem the past indifference with which we are charged, force hands of the present government, and put the population against the Germans. French and British colleagues are to-day cabling their Governments advocating the same policy.
- Sent via the Legation in Sweden (No. 2689).↩