The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to President Roosevelt 95

Personal for the President. Molotov has given me the following information in writing marked exceptionally secret.

The Finnish Delegation composed of Paasikivi, King [Carl J.] Enckell and Secretary George Enckell arrived in Moscow March 26. The first meeting took place March 27. The Finns declared they had no powers except to receive from the Soviet Government an interpretation of the Soviet armistice terms. The Finns inquired whether the Soviet Government was prepared to conclude a treaty of peace or only an agreement on an armistice. The Soviets explained that they had transmitted the Soviet armistice terms and not a treaty of peace but that if the Finnish Government desired at the present time to make a proposal for the conclusion of a treaty of peace it could do so. The Soviet Government was prepared to carry on negotiations either for an armistice or a treaty of peace with Finland. In reply to the [Page 585] Finnish delegation’s attempts to ascertain the Soviet position regarding the possibility of marking [making] various changes in the six Soviet conditions the Soviet side confirmed as unalterable the position of the Soviet Government on these points.

The Soviet Government agreed that if the Finnish Government so desired the second meeting would take place on the 28 or 29. Molotov states that the Government of the United States will be informed of subsequent developments.

May I ask that Mr. Hull be informed.96

  1. Copy of telegram obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N.Y.
  2. A notation at the top of the telegram reads: “Paraphrased copy to State [March] 29/1915Q by direction of President.”