740.0011 European War 1939/16162: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld)
222. Ryti’s reaction to your representations as reported in your 519, October 27, indicate to us that he still fails to appreciate some [Page 85] important aspects of the crisis which has now arisen in Finnish-American relations. Therefore, on the assumption that a formal reply to your statements will not be forthcoming for a few more days, we desire that you communicate to Ryti and other Finnish officials statements along the following line:
We are endeavoring by friendly representations to impress strongly upon the Finnish Government, before irremediable decisions are made, that in our opinion recent Finnish military operations give infinitely valuable military aid to Nazi world aggression, and, without contributing to Finland’s own future security, are thus, in fact, a direct threat to our own security; and that if Finland does not discontinue this course of action immediately, it must understand clearly that it will forfeit the friendly support of the United States in future difficulties inexorably arising as consequences of any such decision. We do want, moreover, to acquaint the Finnish Government in unmistakable terms with the alternatives facing it, in so far as we are concerned, before it reaches an irrevocable decision. We, and the Finnish Government should, fully appreciate that the exigencies of the defense of the United States necessitate steps which are no less imperative because they are taken with regret.