860D.00/1061: Telegram
The Chargé in Finland (McClintock) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:55 p.m.]
80. I dined last night at home of Witting. In my own view and that of various neutral Chiefs of Mission who were present this dinner was designed as friendly gesture to this Legation on part of Finnish Government before Witting’s departure from Foreign Office. Fact we were invited with choice of two dates made this invitation difficult to decline and I learn that the other guests were asked subsequent to our acceptance.
Witting reiterated his stand by argument of Finland’s economic dependence on Germany raising his percentages to a new high when he said that Finland now received 94% of its imports either directly from Germany or via German controlled transport system of Europe. He said remaining 6% came from Sweden. This line of talk recalls my 72 yesterday.27
Foreign Minister was bleak as to Finland’s prospects for separate peace and said that problem could be likened to that of dividing a triangle into three equal parts which mathematically was impossible. He commenced rather querulous reference to illusions in Washington as to what could be done, but allowed this remark to trail off in a characteristic [Page 218] mumble. Later, as I was leaving, he said he hoped that I did not think his comments had been “too harsh”.
Swiss Minister29 last night was told by Witting that recent reports from Finnish Legation in Washington suggested a considerable shift in American opinion favorable to Finland. He said that it had been estimated that “a 30 to 40 percent change in newspaper opinion” had been noted since return of Minister Schoenfeld30 and attributed this shift to influence of the Minister.
Witting told Minister Egger that he would presently resign and that he was glad to return to affairs of his bank. He added querulously that he was not responsible for policies he had carried out at [apparent omission] as merely national scapegoat. Witting added that question of when he would resign had not been determined and he offered no comment as to who his successor would be. Swiss Minister had heard frequent reports that Kivimaki31 would succeed Witting and agreed with me that Kivimaki who had made no secret of his pro-Nazi inclinations could scarcely be regarded as friend of Western democracies.
Swiss Minister seemed inclined to attach some importance to increasing talk of Mannerheim’s candidacy for Presidency and said that author mentioned in my 69, January 13,32 was actively leading movement in Social Democratic Party on grounds that Mannerheim was sole candidate who might possibly effect compromise between views of various great belligerents as to Finland. Should Mannerheim become President Egger shared my opinion that Erkko might probably become his Foreign Minister. Witting last night pooh poohed idea of Mannerheim’s candidacy and told Egger that President Ryti and Marshal were in complete agreement on all major policies.
Swedish view of political situation in Finland seems to be on whole pessimistic irrespective of who assumes power following presidential elections. Swedish Minister here Baron Beckfries33 though cautious in comment seems to take view that it is now too late to save Finns as if they are not taken over by Russians they will be taken over by Germans. In fact Witting last night told Swiss Minister that if Finland should try to wriggle out of its position through conclusion of separate peace or even armistice this country would become a second Yugoslavia with Germans bombarding Helsinki and instantly occupying the country.