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General Note
Historical Note
Scope and Content of Collection
Title: Finnish Relief Fund records
Date (inclusive): 1939-1946
Collection Number: XX405
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
240 manuscript boxes, 3 oversize boxes, 10 card file boxes
(108.2 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Correspondence, memoranda, minutes, reports, press releases, financial records, printed matter, memorabilia, and photographs
relating to fundraising in the United States for civilian relief in Finland during the Russo-Finnish War.
Creator:
Finnish Relief Fund
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
Microfilm use only except Boxes 248-251. Materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are
audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1975.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Finnish Relief Fund records, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Alternative Form Available
Also available on microfilm (207 reels).
General Note
Finnish Relief Fund will be abbreviated throughout as FRF.
Historical Note
(From Herbert Hoover,
An American Epic, Volume IV)
In the Stalin-Hitler alliance of August 23, 1939, Stalin had exacted as part of his share in conquest the annexation of the
helpless Baltic States. Estonia and Latvia complied with Stalin's demand for "protective garrisons." Lithuania was divided
between Stalin and Hitler. Finland alone refused.
When Stalin attacked Finland on November 30, 1939, I made the following statement:
Civilization struck a new low with the Communists' attack on peaceful Finland. It is a sad day to every decent and righteous
man and woman in the world. We are back to the morals and butchery of Ghengis Khan....
They [the Finns] will make a brave fight. They may be overwhelmed by the hordes whose morals are the morals of Communism;
whose methods are cowardly. They are to be brought into subjection by the killing of defenseless women and children. Brave
men do not do that. Even if Finland falls, the day will come when it will rise again -for the forces of righteousness are
not dead in the world.
On December 3, the Finnish Minister to the United States, Hjalmar J. Procope, through my old associate, Lewis L. Strauss,
asked if our group would undertake to organize relief for Finland as we were already doing for Poland. Before replying, I
again, as in the case of Poland, urged Norman Davis, Chairman of the American Red Cross, that this relief be undertaken by
that organization. I proposed that our group would serve under him if he wished. He decided the Red Cross would limit its
services to medical aid and would collect garments through its chapters. However, Finland's most critical need was food.
Our old colleagues incorporated the Finnish Relief Fund, Inc., under the laws of Delaware on December 6, 1939. Except for
part of the clerical help, this American organization consisted entirely of volunteers. The following officers were elected:
Herbert Hoover, Chairman; Edgar Richard, President; Lewis L. Strauss, Vice-President; John Jay Hopkins, Vice-Chairman and
Director of Organization. Additional Directors: Perrin C. Galpin, Frank C. Page, Raymond Sawtelle, Edwin P. Shattuck, John
L. Simpson, H. Alexander Smith, Clare M. Torrey...
On December 7, I made the following address on Finnish relief:
America has a duty to do its part in the relief of the hideous suffering of the Finnish people. Our people should have an
outlet in which to express their individual and practical sympathy. I have consented to organize a nation-wide Finnish Relief
Fund for this purpose. I appeal to the American people for its support. Finland is not a rich country. The people have little
reserve for emergency. They are making a heroic defense. Air attacks have compelled the evacuation of civilians from their
towns and cities. Hundreds of thousands of women and children have been driven from their homes in the middle of northern
winter...Others are without adequate shelter, clothing, and food. This Fund is for the purpose of serving these broad needs.
The American Red Cross has appealed for funds to furnish medicines, hospital supplies, and many garments will be provided
through their chapters. They should be supported. The two funds will cooperate fully...
To avoid overhead expenses, I addressed a telegram to the publishers of America's leading newspapers, asking whether they
would receive contributions, report the donors in their columns, and remit the money to us. The press responded in extraordinary
fashion -some 1,400 newspapers established such funds.
We organized the usual radio programs and theatrical benefits, issued press statements, and arranged public meetings....
In the spring of 1940, Congress appropriated $30,000,000 to aid the Finns. The total response from our public appeal was $3,546,526.11...
With great losses after a valiant defense against overwhelming Communist armies, the Finns agreed to terms of peace on March
12. Stalin forced them to surrender a large part of their fertile lands, from which 400,000 Finns were expelled almost overnight.
On March 13, I made this statement:
The terms imposed on Finland mark another sad day for civilization. The Finns have made a heroic defense that will live for
all time. But the odds were insuperable. The Finnish Relief Fund must continue...
On the same day, we received the following cable from Kyosti Kallio, President of Finland:
We are deeply grateful to the Finnish Relief Fund for the humanitarian aid which we have received during the Finnish War for
the relief of the distressed. I hope with all my heart that you will continue to alleviate the lot of those suffering on account
of the war for the population of the ceded areas will be moving into the territory of the republic... We have signed a compulsory
peace yet we hope that our struggle for the right has gained us the sympathy of the civilized world and trust that we shall
not be left to our own resources in the work of reconstruction...
Scope and Content of Collection
Correspondence, memoranda, minutes, reports, press releases, financial records, printed matter, memorabilia, and photographs
relating to fundraising in the United States for civilian relief in Finland during the Russo-Finnish War.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War, 1939-1945 -- United States
International relief
World War, 1939-1945 -- Civilian relief
World War, 1939-1945 -- Finland
Russo-Finnish War, 1939-1940 -- Civilian relief