340.1115A/320: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Sterling) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 6—4 p.m.]
267. In view of alarming rumors regarding Sweden’s future, now flying about, the question has come up as to giving advice at once to all Americans especially women and children in Sweden to evacuate. Personally it is felt that this action would be premature in the circumstances. This afternoon, however, I sought the views of Boheman, the Secretary General of the Foreign Office and a good friend of the Legation. He definitely confirmed my opinion, said there was nothing in the present situation which would warrant it. It is true he stated that the German press had attacked Sandler58 but no demands of any nature had been received from Germany which might be considered a prelude to aggressive action; and the Russian danger was not immediate. He agreed with me that the time for sending out such notices could properly be timed with the Stockholm evacuation of Swedish women and children no date for which has been fixed.
Asked as to any decision of the Government to give military aid to Finland Boheman said that as the matter now stands no official assistance will be given which did not mean, however, that volunteers for the Finnish Army were not being allowed to go to Finland or that arms, ammunition and supplies were not being sold to Finland by private firms. He characterized Sweden’s position in respect to the Russo-Finnish conflict59 as “nonintervention with intervention, similar to Italy’s action in the recent Spanish Civil War”. The Government continues to be gravely concerned over the seriousness of the whole situation.