File No. 658.119/132

The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

7983. Following for Polk from Gunther:1

Swedish negotiations are proceeding slowly. Conference endeavoring to elicit recognition of principles governing negotiations before going into details. It will probably be possible to report definite progress in a day or two.

Our information in regard to Swedish tonnage coincides with that of the British, to wit: 1,200,000 tons carrying capacity or 740,000 net. Under the latter heading 440,000 are at present idle. It would be helpful if we were promptly informed of the wishes of Shipping Board in this connection and whether an arrangement to divide with British 50-50 is preferred to allocation in toto to Inter-Allied Chartering Executive in the event of successful negotiations. The wishes of the French in this regard should be borne in mind. They protest on principle against exclusive Anglo-American division.

Future attitude of Swedish delegates and other considerations will influence choice of bartering individual concessions against equivalent tonnage as against asking for a lump sum.

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  1. Franklin M. Gunther, Secretary of the Embassy in Great Britain.