In Berlin, on 7 March 1918, German Chancellor Georg von Hertling, for the German Empire, and Edvard Hjelt with Rafael Erich, for the Finnish Senate, sign the Treaty of Peace between Finland and Germany (Berlin Peace Treaty). The text is in German; ratifications are exchanged in Berlin on 25 June 1918. Signature comes four days after the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk between Soviet Russia and the Central Powers.

Finland, independent since 6 December 1917 (recognised by Russia on 31 December), had remained technically at war with the Central Powers from the period when it was a Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire. The Finnish Civil War began on 26–28 January 1918; the White Senate sought German military aid, while the Finnish Socialist Workers’ Republic signed a friendship treaty with Soviet Russia on 1 March.

The treaty has eleven chapters and 32 articles. Both parties waive claims to war damages but provide for civilian compensation; they restore private property rights; confiscated merchant ships and cargoes are to be returned. Germany undertakes to work for recognition of Finland’s independence by all states.

Article 18 provides for an exchange of prisoners of war, except those who, with the capturing state’s consent, wish to remain or go elsewhere. Article 30 on Åland: forts built on the Åland Islands are to be removed as soon as possible, and the islands’ permanent non-fortified character settled by agreement among Germany, Finland, Russia and Sweden.

The same day the parties also sign a treaty of commerce and navigation and a supplementary protocol. Clarifying notes follow on 7 and 11 March. The German pledge to secure recognition of Finnish independence alarms the British Foreign Office. On the treaty’s basis the Senate obtains German intervention against the Reds; by the end of April 1918 the socialist forces are substantially defeated.

The Berlin peace treaty of 7 March 1918 thus ends the Finno–German state of war from the First World War and opens the way for German intervention in the Finnish Civil War.

Image: Edvard Hjelt (Järnefelt); public domain / Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Treaty of Peace between Finland and Germany. Treaty text: Treaty of Peace between Finland and Germany, Berlin, 7 March 1918.