Le Nord : revue internationale des Pays de Nord - 01.06.1939, Page 527
CHRONIQUE TRIMESTRIELLE
5i7
the general situation created by the
present war, the duration of which
we cannot guess, Finland has de-
clared her readiness to make such
arrangements as would above all
increase the security of Leningrad
and at the same time add to the
USSR’s own opportunities of con-
trolling this security. Already at
this stage of the negotiations Fin-
land has been prepared to show
goodwill towards the USSR. There
is therefore no question of any an-
tagonistic attitude on our part to-
wards the USSR. In this connection
Finland, in my opinion and in that
of the Finnish Government, is en-
titled to expect that regard shall be
paid in any settlement to the Fin-
nish standpoint and Finland’s vital
interests. It is all the more essential
that due regard be paid to these
interests in that it is surely the in-
tention of both parties to find a
solution, which will guarantee the
preservation of confidential rela-
tions between the two nations also
in the future. A settlement, which
would leave behind it the impres-
sion that an injustice had been com-
mitted to one party, cannot be
either sound or desirable.
“When the negotiations started,
Finland took the standpoint that
she had concluded treaties with the
USSR, which were no compulsory
treaties, but agreements reached
after free discussions regarding the
achievement of permanent relations.
These treaties, in particular the
Treaty of Dorpat and the later
Non-Aggression Pact, are of a cha-
racter that would make it easy
within framework to avoid acute
conflicts and indeed to remove the
causes of conflicts. In spite, how-
ever, of the fact that both the trea-
ties mentioned are still in force and
that the latter was solemnly renewed
a few years ago, it is difficult for us
to avoid the impression that a desire
now exists to disturb these founda-
tions, moreover in a way calculat-
ed to sow distrust and uncertainty.
We, too, have reached a stage, when
we are compelled to ask ourselves
what importance in general can be
attached to new treaties, however
solemnly assured, if treaties already
existing are not respected.
“A cornerstone of Finnish poli-
tical life is the principle that the
nation must keep its treaties
whether they are profitable or not.
We also have the impression that
the confidence reposed in Finland
and the respect she enjoys among
the nations spring from her ob-
servance of this principle, from the
faithfulness with which she has ful-
filled her obligations. At a time,
when we are being prevailed upon
to enter into new treaties, we have
the right to ask what guarantees
we can have that the new treaties
will be respected.
“The Finnish people are a liber-
ty-loving people. Finland was late
in achieving her complete inde-
pendence. For this reason she is all
the more sensitive in her desire to
see this independence respected.