611.4131/1738: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 15—10:30 a.m.]
764. Embassy’s 758, August 13, 1 p.m.49 This morning Brown told us that the Department’s latest proposals on lumber gave him grounds for hope that a solution of this question was possible. If the Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden could be made to accept the Department’s contention that this proposal would increase the exports of their lumber he saw no reason for not agreeing to that proposal. He had not yet taken the matter up with the Scandinavian countries but is planning to sound them out in the near future.
[Page 51]He stated that Swedes having got wind of the earlier United States proposition outlined in the Department’s 395, July 27, 7 p.m., approached him on the question. After some discussion the Swedish Government categorically refused to accept the position taken by the Department. He said that the Finns likewise were aware of the Department’s proposal but did not indicate that the matter had been discussed with them. It is assumed from what he said that the Swedish Government, and perhaps the Finnish Government, is aware of the British position on most-favored-nation treatment on imports of soft lumber including Douglas fir.
In view of my telephone conversation yesterday with Hickerson50 we did not approach Brown on the basis of the Department’s 444, August 12, 7 p.m.