History
Consular History-1941
1941-1950
On June 22, 1941 Germany attacked the Soviet Union. The following day Soviet forces crossed the Finnish frontier allegedly to forestall German forces using Finland as a base of operations. Finland thereupon declared war on the Soviet Union (June 23, 1941) and rouged itself with Germany.
Following the outbreak of war between the United States and Germany, United States policy was directed towards bringing about a break between Finland and Germany and peace between Russia and Finland. With a view towards making the Finns realize the seriousness with which the United States viewed continued Finnish collaboration with Germany, the United States severed consular relations with Finland on July 16, 1942 and on June 30, 1944 took the further step of severing diplomatic relations. The Swiss Minister, Mr. Karl Egger, took over the protection of American interests in Finland and American members of the Legation’s staff departed for Sweden on July 4th.
In February 1944, the Legation building suffered considerable damage from shell fragments and concussion as a result of a Soviet air raid on Helsinki.
On September 4, 1944, Finland ceased military operations against the Soviet Union, withdrew from the war against the Soviet Union and Great Britain, and broke off relations with Germany. On September 19, 1944, Finland concluded an armistice with the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom acting on behalf of the other nations at war with Finland.
Following the renewal of Finland’s position in the war, our office in Helsinki was reopened as the United States Mission in Finland with the arrival in Helsinki on January 16, 1945 of Foreign Service Officer L. Rudolph Higgs. On February 24,1945, Minister Maxwell M. Hamilton, who had been designated United States Representative in Finland, arrived and assumed charge of the mission. Formal diplomatic relations between the United States and Finland were resumed on September 1, 1945 at which time the rank of the mission was changed to Legation and Mr. Hamilton became American Minister to Finland.
In accordance with the program for acquisition by the United States of real property located abroad against credits advanced to foreign governments, the United States acquired from the Finnish government on August 19, 1947 three pieces of property as follows:
1224 square meters of lot No. 11, situated in block No. 204 in district No. 9 of the city of Helsinki (formerly Soderyhelm property), price $62,816.18.
Lot No. 10 on Itäinen Puistotie (Formerly Reinehe property), price $264,705.88
2400 square meters of lot No. 9 on Itäinen Puistotie (formerly Bjorling property), price $289,485.29
February 17, 1950 at 5:00 pm. Avra M. Warren took the oath of office as Ambassador to Pakistan which was administered by Harold J. Pepin, Asst. Attaché and Vice Consul in the drawing room of the residence before the Legation Services and U.S.I.S. staffs with their wives. About 100 persons were present. Champagne was served.
Leading newspapers carried photographs and captions of the ceremony.
Minister and Mrs. John M. Cabot arrived by A.O.A. from Stockholm at noon on February 25, 1950. They were met at the airport by all Legation Diplomatic and Service Officers with their wives and by Mr. Eino Wälikangas, Chief of Protocol. The entire Legation staff with their wives assembled in the drawing room to greet Minister and Mrs. Cabot. Mr. Warren M. Chase, Counselor of the Legation, proposed a toast. Champagne was served.
Shortly after her arrival, Mrs. Cabot started laying plans to open a lunch room in order that Legation personnel might obtain a warm lunch.
The following committee was elected:
Robert M. Broudin, Chairman
Capt. Shirl Swenson
Constance Pope
Elvi Kaukokallio
Mr. Cabot
Harold I. Repin
In order to raise the initial capital required to purchase silver, dishes, napkins etc., common shares and preferred shares at 1500 Fmk were sold. Everyone using the lunch room was required to purchase one common share. The preferred shares are to be paid off in full at a time when the lunch room shows a profit. The common shares will be paid off when the individual ceases to make use of the lunch room or in case of liquidation.
Prices for the meals were set up as follows:
Set plate or sandwich 85 Fmk
Bread and butter 25 Fmk
Beverages (a milk, a coffee or one of each) 25 Fmk
Dessert 25 Fmk
The lunch room was opened on May 2, 1950 and was temporarily located in two rooms just off the kitchen in the Minister’s residence.