(1) The firm and decisive stand of the Soviet government has made it absolutely clear to the British government that notwithstanding the clamour made by Mannerheim

Baron Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, commander-in-chief of the Finnish army, 1939–40 and 1941–46; Finnish president, 1944–46.

and Co., the question of Finland is essentially closed. What does the British government, which is hardly in a position to ‘save’ Finland, have to gain by flailing around with its fists, thereby merely worsening still further its relations with the USSR? Of course, the British government will send arms, aeroplanes, etc. to Finland (albeit in limited quantities), but it is unlikely to wish to ratchet things up to breaking-point.

(2) The Geneva farce of an ‘anti-Comintern bloc’ has produced a strong impression on many leftists, and they are beginning to scratch their heads.

Moreover, newspapers cannot keep a ‘sensation’ going for three weeks. They need a new trick.

If nothing unexpected happens, the present wave will gradually subside. It would be a gross mistake, however, to imagine that Anglo-Soviet relations could return even to the level of October–November (a not very satisfactory level at that). On the contrary, my general impression leads me to the conclusion that if no new factors come into play in the nearest future (from the British side, our side, or both), we shall face a period of further deterioration in Anglo-Soviet relations, in which even a rupture is possible.