860D.00/935: Telegram
The Chargé in Sweden (Greene) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:01 p.m.]
700. The Finnish Minister who has just returned from 8 days in Finland during which he was in intimate contact with President Ryti, [Page 86] Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister of Defense told me following:
Above group in constant collaboration really governs Finland. Tanner because of his position as head of largest political group and as Cabinet member is also in close contact but is usually more independent in his views such as those expressed on September 14 (Department’s 201, October 4, 4 p.m., to Helsinki) which Tanner has subsequently been told were not in accordance with basic policy of others. Tanner’s radio speech October 28 for example was more in line.
Minister said that Finland still maintained that it would continue fighting only until such objectives as were needed for its strategic and political safety were reached and that decision of extent of this territory would and could be determined only by Finland; that Government still had no intention of continuing war for any other purpose. He said that Government plans reasonably soon to explain to Parliament its post-war territorial objectives but that until then these plans will be kept secret, not even Swedish Government being informed.