Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1918, Russia, Volume II

File No. 861.00/766

The Consul at Helsingfors ( Haynes ) to the Secretary of State ¹

[Telegram]

Helsingfors , December 4, 1917 .
[Received December 6, 11.10 a.m.]

The president Finland Senate to-day before Diet proclaimed Finland free republic. He asks me to ascertain if the United States of America will recognize Finland as independent state and if so may government send delegates to lay their point of view before our Government.² I learn from reliable sources that Swedish-Germans [sic] urging Germany immediately to recognize Finland independence. Only our prompt recognition will prevent Germany from securing firm sympathy and domination in eastern Baltic. Names of delegates will be referred to me for approval. After having consulted French and English colleagues they are dispatching similar wires to their Governments and Embassies.

Thornwell Haynes

1. Repeated to the Ambassador in Russia in telegram No. 1890, Dec. 8, 5 p.m., with instructions: “Advise Department your views fully and at earliest opportunity.”
2. Answered Dec. 8: “Matter under consideration.”