660D.6231/138: Telegram
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 15—3:45 a.m.]
122. New trade agreement between Germany and Finland was signed here yesterday following negotiations since February 3. Official statement published press today to effect that “negotiations conducted in spirit of brotherly and hearty cooperation inspired by common task offered opportunity for far reaching consideration all economic questions and resulted in complete agreement”. Statement adds “Within framework agreements reached we received assurance that on German side everything in their power being done in field both of public supply and industrial and financial economy so that Finland’s economic striking power in common struggle may be kept unbroken and strengthened and so that Finland on its side notwithstanding difficulties caused by war and demands created thereby shall deliver to Germany in highest possible quantity important products from its forestry resources and industry.” Also announced that special agreement simultaneously concluded regarding exchange goods between Finland and Norway.
German negotiator Schnurre48 quoted in press having said negotiations not only involved extension previous agreements regarding exchange goods and regulation of payments but intensification thereof. Said negotiations would be undertaken middle this year within framework agreement reached yesterday regarding details exchange of goods and that discussions covered all economic questions including raw materials and foreign trade. Finland would be provided with coal, iron, artificial wool, etc., in sufficient quantity. Added that as clearing procedure cannot be maintained to full extent further regulation of payments will be made later and that “Finland despite great difficulties has delivered great quantities forest products and other things to Germany” also that “agreement reached is specially advantageous to Finland and shows that talk of weakness of Finnish economy is without foundation”.
- Karl Schnurre, head of the Eastern European and Baltic Section of the Commercial Policy Division of the German Foreign Office.↩