File No. 763.72/3567
The Minister in Sweden ( Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 22, 3 a.m.]
246. Referring to the Department’s 1371 and circular March 16, 2 p.m. Foreign Minister told me to-day he was authorized give [Page 555] verbal Swedish neutrality rules. Contained no mention of armed merchant vessels, and that for the present Swedish Government was unable make any definite decision, but reserved the right to treat each case separately later in conference. I drew from Foreign Minister the statement that for the present armed American merchant vessels, whether armed by the Government or by the owners, would be allowed freely to enter and depart from Swedish ports as heretofore. In reply to my inquiry the Minister for Foreign Affairs confidentially stated that Sweden did not care to set a precedent on this question at present, but preferred to await developments, and that in not definitely committing themselves at present, Sweden obviated what might lead to some embarrassment with neighboring countries. I learned to-day from high Swedish official that Danish representative will make a similar reply.