The Pittsburgh Press (February 20, 1944)
Solution to impasse?
Russian sources suggest that U.S. occupy Finland
American circles in Stockholm refer to speculative proposal as ‘not impractical’
Stockholm, Sweden (UP) – (Feb. 19)
Unofficial Russian quarters suggested tonight that a solution to the apparent Finnish-Soviet impasse would be American occupation of Finland under the terms of an armistice, and well-informed American circles here commented that “the idea is not impractical.”
Although the Russian sources were vague as to what Moscow’s exact reaction to such a plan might be, they hinted the Soviet Union would approve it.
Except for the fact that these unofficial Soviet sources had advanced the interesting solution to the problem of getting Finland out of the war, there was nothing to indicate it was more than speculative.
The Finns, they said, unquestionably would welcome such action, since it would dispose of Helsinki’s obvious fears that any Russian occupation of Finnish territory in the event of an armistice might become permanent.
The Russians noted that it was also likely that Sweden heartily would approve of an American occupation.
There was still nothing definite here on the persistent rumors that Finnish emissaries were plying between Stockholm and Helsinki to negotiate peace between Russia and Finland.
A United Press dispatch from Moscow said there has not yet been any mention in Roman newspapers of reports that negotiations were underway in the Swedish capital. Radio Berlin, heard by CBS, said that rumors that Col. Gen. Eduard Dietl, Nazi commander on the Murmansk Front, has received orders to prepare for an eventual retreat of German troops from Finland “lack any foundation whatsoever.”