Le Nord : revue internationale des Pays de Nord - 01.06.1939, Page 522
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LE NORD
selves can provide under the present
difficult conditions. Ve have been
assured by the belligerents that they
will respect our neutrality and that
their attitude towards us will be
neutral. It is our earnest desire to
believe and trust in these declar-
ations. Now that the Soviet Union
has suggested discussions on ques-
tions of a political nature and
considers that questions exist of a
kind, which makes an exchange of
views essential, we have not refused
to take part in such discussions. No
ultimatum has been presented to us
in this respect, nor should we have
yielded to an ultimatum. But as a
peace-loving nation we always wish
to be there, where an opportunity
offers itself to preserve peace by
peaceful, friendly discussions. Every
nation has its own problems, its own
conceptions of security and its own
difficulties. ¥e have our own and
so have our neighbours. Our pur-
pose is to find a solution that would
add to the feeling of security in this
part of Europe, where we live, and
we believe that our neighbour, in
suggesting these discussions, is also
striving for such a solution. But a
solution that would strengthen the
security of one side at the expense
of the other, and which would les-
sen the possibilities of the other
party to secure its vital interests and
protect its national life, or which
would weaken the national integrity
or the declared neutrality of the
other, such a solution cannot be ap-
proved by anyone. This is the
question that at the present moment
is at stake in this corner of Europe.
It is an irony of fate that a country,
which politically is not a militaristic
state, but a peaceful country with
an organisation, which is rather
economic and cultural than mili-
tary, should become the object of
world-wide attention through no
fault of its own in the circum-
stances, which unfortunately mark
the present case.
"In these perturbing and nerve-
wracking times we have realised
with joy that we have many friends
all over the world, friends, who
with great sympathy have given us
their support and shown their un-
derstanding of the peaceful policy
and attitude of Finland. This moral
support we never can and never
shall forget. The sympathy expres-
sed for us is all the more valuable
in that it shows that others have
confidence in us and believe in our
cause. In conclusion I cannot refraia
from availing myself of this opport-
unity to give expression before the
people of the United States to the
sincere gratitude of the Finnish
people to President Roosevelt, the
Flead of your State, and to your
Government for the friendship and
moral support shown to us, which
we realise were intended to create
circumstances on the basis of which
a peaceful and reasonable solution
could be found. At the same time I
beg to thank all those numerous:
individuals as well as the great
American Press for that sincere mo-