Has Finland Burnt Her Boats ?
Finland has long ago regretted the step taken by her Government when it sought revenge on Russia by an armed alliance with Germany. But it was easier to get into the Nazi coil than to get out of it, and now she is failing to take the resolute course which alone could safeguard her future, although it might jeopardise her present security. If she believes, as it is probable that she does now believe, that the ultimate defeat of Germany is certain, then her only chance of surviving the war without disaster is to make the best peace she can with Russia as soon as possible. This she could do through the mediation of the United States, with whom she is not at war. But she has feared the present and tem- porary danger more than the future and lasting danger, and has paid more attention to the threats of Germany than to the wise advice of Washington. She has rejected the latter, and it is believed that Dr. Henrik Ramsay, her Foreign Minister, on his recent visit to Berlin, yielded to the demands of Ribbentrop, and promised to participate in an attack on Leningrad. This is the situation which doubtless explains the withdrawal of most of the staff of the United States Legation from Helsinki to Stockholm. The Finnish Govern-. ment seems to have thought that it could play a waiting game, giving a measure of satisfaction to Germany, and yet keeping open the opportunity of accepting the good offices of America in the future. American action has dispelled that illusion. Finland must choose one side or the other, and stick to her choice.
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