Evening star., 1944-07-01
Plans Being Drafted
For Exchanging U. 5.
And Finn Diplomats

Arrangements were pefng worked
out by the State Department today
for the exchange. OF the small stats
left in the Finnish Legation here
and the American Legation in Hell
sinki. following the break in diplo-
matte relations between the two
countries.
Meanwhile, the Treasury Depart
ment issued notice declaring Pin
land is be enemy territory" and
blocking all trade and financial re-
lations with that country except
under special license. Finland has
about 81, 900 900 in funds here which
have been frozen since June 10, 194l,
but upon which, in the past, the
Firms have been allowed to draw
for legitimate purposes, such as pay
ments on war debts.
An Associated Press dispatch from
Stockholm said Edward Gullion.
American Charge dAffaires In Hell
sinki; the five members of his sta
and their families expect to leave
Finland Tuesday night for Sweden.
From there 1t will be possible for
them to fly by commercial airline to
Great Britain, and thence on to the
United States.
Break Long Delayed.
Mr.. Gullion presented the Amer
ican note breaking off diplomatic
relations to the Finnish Foreign
Office yesterday at about the same
time Alexander Thesleff, charge
d'affaires at the Finnish legation
here, was receiving a copy of the
same document from the State De-
partment. The break in relations,
long discussed but as often delayed,
was caused by the new Finnish gov
ernment's avowal that it would fight
the war through at Germany's side.
Under arrangements for mutual
exchange of diplomats, the State
Department will facilitate the de-
parture of Mr. Theslef1 and his wife
and the legation staff. which in
cludes an attache. his wife and two
clerks. 1t is not yet known how they
will travel
Yesterdays momentous step. ac-
cording to observers here, results
IN a bleak outlook for Finland,
whose ties of friendship with the
United States were unusually close
for two decades after the World
War. The Firms now can look only
to eventual defeat on the battle
field or to civil revolution which
might oust the pro-German ele-
ment in the government and bring
in a regime willing to make peace
with Russia.
Looked to U. S. for Support.
For the last three years. it Is
understood, the Finnish people have
looked to America for support in
| obtaining a favorable peace treaty
with Russia if Germany should be
defeated. When they see the Amer
lean flag come down from the lega-
ton in Helsinki, they will know that
the hope of American intervention
has disappeared.
Meanwhile, an Associated Press
dispatch from Moscow said that the
Russians were joyful over the State
| Departments action. Russians, it
was pointed out, have never been
able to understand why the United
States continued friendly relations
with an ally of Germany. The Soviet
radio. it was reported. expected to
broadcast news of the break widely.
News Of the break with Finland
was received with deep disappoint- ,
ment and pain by most Firms, the
Helsingin Sanomat said in an
editorial quoted In the Swedish press
today.
Social Demokraattii wrote: What
the great majority of the Finnish
people long have feared now has
happened. There is no sentimentality
In politics, but despite this, the news
makes a great many of our people
sad and sorrowful."
The Stockholm press reported that
Finnish and German troops were
assembling in Turku Harbor, ap-
parently for transport to the Aland
Islands to strengthen the garrison