File No. 861.00/860
The Minister in Sweden (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 25, 12.24 a.m.]
1224. I have ascertained that a Finnish contingent has come to Stockholm and was received privately by Weden, president of the Rigsdag, in one of the committees of Parliament. The Finns asked for the recognition of the independence of Finland and for the military assistance of Sweden in order to expel the Russians from Finland in the event of the Russians refusing to recognize the independence of Finland. As military assistance might involve losses for Sweden no agreement was reached and the negotiations were dropped.
[Page 739]Three Finnish delegations are leaving Stockholm for Berlin, London, and Washington. The first is composed of Hjelt and Erich, the second of Holsti and Kihlman, and the-third of Reuter and Soskimo.