File No. 861.00/1018

The Minister in Sweden (Morris) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

1408. Have just secured from various official channels following information concerning situation in Finland. Finnish Senate has left Helsingfors which is now in control Red Guards. All public buildings occupied by them, private houses being attacked, there is general strike and all Red Cross work stopped. Slight casualties [Page 745] reported from Jakobstad, country north of Seinäjoki under complete control bourgeois guard numbering several thousand. At Uleåborg, Russian soldiers and Red Guard disarmed. Train service Petrograd still suspended. Finnish Chargé d’Affaires at Stockholm informs me heavy fighting taking place at Viborg and Helsingfors. At my request Swedish Foreign Office is endeavoring ascertain whereabouts well-being our Consul, Helsingfors.

Morris