File No. 860d.48/19
The Swedish Legation to the Department of State 1
Memorandum
The altogether inadequate crop of last year in Finland, together with political developments during last winter and spring, has created a very serious food situation in that country and there is now real danger at hand of actual starvation amongst its people if a considerable importation of bread-cereals cannot be obtained.
Prompted by a feeling of solidarity based on common historical traditions and similar geographical and physical conditions, the Governments of the three Scandinavian countries have felt themselves compelled to seriously consider the desperate situation now [Page 583] prevailing with regard to the principal food sources for the Finnish people, and at the meeting of the Premiers and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, which recently took place in Copenhagen, the question was taken up for discussion concerning what could be done on the part of the Scandinavian countries in order to bring relief in the serious distress now suffered by the Finnish people.
During these discussions it became evident that on account of the constantly increasing scarcity of foodstuffs in the Scandinavian countries any direct help in the way of export of cereals from them to Finland was practically excluded, but on the other hand, upon a proposal submitted by the Finnish Government itself, the advisability was taken under consideration whether a common appeal could not be addressed to the Governments of the United States and Great Britain with a view of possibly effecting an importation into Finland of so much of breadstuffs as to prevent actual starvation which is now menacing the whole country.
According to information recently received from Finland, the quantity of breadstuffs immediately needed amounts to 8,000 tons.
In the event that the American and British Governments would favorably consider such an appeal, the Governments of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark are prepared to, if such should be desired, in an effective manner which could be especially arranged and agreed upon, control the distribution of the cereals thus granted so as to ensure that they would be used exclusively for the benefit of the Finnish population.
The Finnish Government has for its own part declared itself willing to accept such a control. Guarantee that such a system of control would be accepted and respected on the part of Germany can also be obtained.
The three Scandinavian Governments feel confident that in view of the humanitarian nature of the proposed steps and in harmony with the high principles for which it has always made itself a champion, the Government of the United States will favorably consider the above proposal.
- Similar notes of the same date were received from the Danish and Norwegian Legations. (File Nos. 860d.48/20, 21.)↩