Now peace has been finally concluded between Finland and Russia. These peace negotiations did not realize the national aspirations of Karelia for freedom, in accordance with the principle of self-determination of peoples, which the people of Karelia hoped for in accordance with the decisions of the Karelian regional congresses.

Having made considerable efforts, the people of Karelia could not achieve their goals, as the time has not yet come when neither force nor sword will determine the fate of nations. However, believing in the future of the people of Karelia, we have not lost our hope.

These recent efforts have, however, proven useful in the sense that during the peace negotiations in Tartu, Karelia was singled out as a separate region and its population was recognized as a separate people. Thus, centuries-old Russian claims that Karelians are Russians have been refuted. And with this a new period in the history of Karelia will begin, if only we, Karelians, can continue our efforts and if Finland can see to the fulfillment of the articles of the Tartu Treaty concerning Karelia.

Keeping faith in the future of Karelia, but also fully aware of the severity of the current trials that Karelia is going through, we, the undersigned, plenipotentiary representatives of the Karelia volosts in exile, consider it our duty to inform the people of Finland about the deadly famine that the population of Karelia is now facing. There is no hope of salvation from those in power. In various volosts of Karelia, several hundred families are already left without bread.

We have already been approached several times by the volosts through the embassies with requests for rescue, but in the current circumstances we are unable to aid. In the same way, we cannot help our numerous brothers who, fleeing from hunger, arrive here across the border individually.

In this regard, we dare to turn with hope to the brotherly Finnish people with a request to find ways to save the Karelian people from death by starvation.

Firstly, food and means for its transportation are needed. Donations should be sent to: Provisional Government of Karelia, Suomussalmi. The government will subsequently publish a report on the use of funds collected in this way.

Suomussalmi, December 14, 1920

Karelian Regional Council:

I.Ranne
from Uhtinskaya volost

Risto Homanen
from Olangskaya volost

Yrjö Mäkelä
from Voknavolotskaya volost

J.Rajamaa
from Tihtozerskaya volost

M.Petrakoski
from Kestengskaya volost

Anton Karppala
from Yuchkozerskiya volost

V.Viena
from Kondokskaya volost

I.Sortovaara
from Tungudskaya volost

M.Aheinen
from Kimasozerskaya volost

K.Mäntyniemi
from Letnekonetskaya volost

T.Tsirkkavaara

Translated by Margarita Matthew, 2025