File No. 861.00/809
The Minister in Sweden ( Morris ) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 11, 11.50 a.m.]
1175. Saw the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs who informed me that last week the Finnish government had asked the Swedish Government as to their disposition regarding recognizing Finland’s independence. The Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday telegraphed to the Swedish representatives in London, Paris, and Berlin to ascertain what position England, France, and Germany, respectively, will take regarding recognizing Finland’s independence. Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs asked me if I could ascertain from my Government in an informal and unofficial way as to what attitude we would take regarding recognizing Finland’s independence. I told him I would cable you ascertain this information and acquaint him with my reply. In the course of the conversation Minister for Foreign Affairs told me confidentially that Orlovski, who has been appointed official representative to Sweden of the Russian Bolshevik government, called upon the Minister for Foreign Affairs at his house this morning. Orlovski said that he felt quite sure that Bolshevik government would have no hesitancy in recognizing Finland’s independence. In this conversation the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs gave me to understand [what] I cabled you in my 11591 that Sweden would not recognize the government of Bolshevik in Russia at present. They will wait to see how matters develop in Russia.