A man who inspired confidence as head of the state would guarantee that
negotiations with the Soviet Union would not be considered deceitful, and that the entire
army would comply with the peace treaty. Mannerheim rejected the agreement, which
prevented a separate peace treaty and which was signed by Ryti, and consented to
armistice.
After the Truce (19 September, 1944), Mannerheim actively searched for an expedient solution for Finland in matters of foreign policy under the new circumstances. In his view, a defence alliance with the Soviet Union could help Finland to establish her sovereignity on a firmer basis. Stalin was not yet ready to recognize Finland’s political status, but the outline agreement drafted by Mannerheim in January 1945 can still be regarded as the basis for the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance concluded with the Soviet Union later.
Under the
supervision of the Control Commission of the Allied Forces, Mannerheim had to accept
several averse solutions, some of which were the abolition of the Civil Guards, the Lotta
Svärd organization and the Union of the Finnish Brothers-in-Arms, all of which had so
strongly contributed to the defence of Finland. On the other hand, persons who had
formerly been convicted of high treason, were acquitted and even elected to the government
of Finland.
On grounds of ill-health, Mannerheim was on leave of absence from 3 till 10 March, 1945; from 12 September till 5 October, 1945; and from 18 October, 1945 till 4 March, 1946.
Although Mannerheim was, as regards the Soviet Union, the only person able to keep Finland united and to prevent the resistance movement from growing too strong, he was, in view of the Soviet-oriented, so-called democratic policy, an obstruction in the development of domestic policy as well. During the court trials of the war criminals (1945-1946), there were requests that Mannerheim too should have been prosecuted, which forced him to defend himself. His possibilities to lead the Finnish foreign policy effectively were not great, and he resigned from the office in March 1946, exhausted by illness.
Trial of War Criminal | Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance
COURSE OF LIFE | FAMILY | TIME OF GROWTH | MILITARY CAREER | WAR OF INDEPENDENCE | REGENT 1918-1919 | CIVILIAN | DEFENCE COUNCIL | COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 1939-1946 | PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC 1944-1946 | RETIREMENT | SPECIAL TOPICS | SEARCH