Evening star., 1940-03-09
American Embassy
Is Center Of
Intense Activity
~ the Associated Press.

=
STOCKHOLM, March 9.-Nego-
tiations toward Russian Finnish
peace appeared today to have shift
ed to Moscow, with Sweden's role in
the matter more or less finished.
(Reuter's dispatch to London
reported intense diplomatic &C
tivity centeripg around the
United States Embassy and the
Swedish Legation in Moscow.
(Nearly every foreign Ambas-
sador and Minister in Moscow
was said to be calling at or tele-
phoning the Embassy or the
Legation.
(Reuters reported yesterday
that United States Ambassador
Laurence A. Steinhardt had con-
ferred with the Swedish Minister
and later with Russian Premier
Foreign Commissar Vyacheslan
Moloton.
(secretary of State Hull said
today that Mr.. Steinhardt called
at the Russian foreign Office
merely to seek information on
developments and possible devel-
opments In the situation there.
and so far as he knew had not
received any suggestion for
United States action.
Meanwhile, White House Press
Secretary Stephen T. Early made
1t clear to reporters that Presi-
dent Roosevelt had neither closed
nor opened the door to possible
participation by this country In
the reported peace negotiationso
Attention was centered on the
whereabouts of DR.. Juhu JUST
Paasikivi, Finnish negotiator who
was reported to have left Stockholm
and was believed already IN Berlin
or en- route to Moscow.
PaasikiW led the Finnish delega-
ton which unsuccessfully nego-
tiated in Moscow before the war
began last November 80.
Peace May Be Made at Riga.
There were rumors that Riga,
Latvia, might be the center OF f1nal
negotiations and that Finnish
delegation already was en- route
there to meet Soviet representatives.
These reports developed as efforts
to settle the undeclared war in Fin
land drew speedily toward climactic
stage with the probable outcome
still shrouded by indecision and ON
eial secrecy.
It became known here that Rus
sia had demanded fulhllment OF her
terms before even accepting an
armstice, however.
Although officially confirmed here
that Sweden had acted as go-be-
tween for Russia and Finland IN
preliminary negotiations, there was
strong insistence that the Stockholm
government was in no way acting as
mediator.
It was stated further that the ini-
tiative toward negotiations came
from Russia and not Sweden; that
this Scandinavian country did no
more, in effect, than to lend its
front parlor" for establishing con-
facts and for the presentation OF
Noscow's terms.
With the Russians and Films now
In touch with each other, it is be-
Neved any actual decision toward
settlement will be made In Moscow
or. possibly, Riga.
There was no evidence today that
negotiations were continuing here
and Sweden, In common with Nor
way and Denmark, now look to Ber-
lin and Moscow for further develop
ments.
In some quarters here Germany IL
regarded as the actual 'behind-the-
scenes" mediator, and increasing at
tention Is being directed to the ques-
ton of to what extent Germany may
make diplomatic capital in Northern
Europe, If the Finnish war is settled
If some agreement can be reached
It is assumed Germany will try tt
extend her influence in Scandinavia
by arguing she had safeguarded thi!
regions neutrality.
The extent of the Soviet demand.
for peace continued to attract at
tention, which still was confined tt
the realms Of conjecture for the mos
part.
Reds May Cut Terms.
It was taken for granted that the
eoviets' first demands were severe
but this was believed to be in keep.
ing with the apparent desire of both
the Russians and Firms not to show
weakness in seeking a settlement.
It was rumored that Moscow
might be satisfied with only a Sec
ton Of the Karenan Isthmus and q
naval base near the mouth of the
Gulf of Finland, dropping any
claims on Viipuri, Hanko and Arctic
Finnish territory-but these rumors
were without confirmation.
The desire of both sides not to
give any indication of knuckling
under was reported to be responsible
for the failure to secure an armistice
IN advance of direct negotiations.
The Scandinavian press editorial
Ned widely on the negotiations to-
day with the hope that a settlement
would be achieved and that Fin
lands national integrity would be
preserved.
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