760D.62/91
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The Finnish Minister called in company with his Counselor.72 He said that his country was much concerned about the report that some twelve thousand German troops had moved into a certain area of Finland; that he desired to deny this most emphatically, as he desired also to deny a number of other rumors and reports about special relations between his country and Germany. I stated that we had not accepted any of these reports here at the State Department; that we never accepted damaging reports against a friendly country like Finland without full confirmation in the first place, and that we have treated lightly these reports to which he referred. He seemed very much relieved at this, but urged that more publicity be given by us in denial, especially the report about the German troop occupation. I requested him to call on Mr. McDermott73 and go over this phase, which he said he would be glad to do.
The Minister expressed great appreciation at the aid we are giving Finland.