740.0011 European War 1939/2035: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Sterling) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 9—9 p.m.]
182 [bis]. Department’s No. 55, April 9, 10 a.m.17 Impossible to reach either Legation at Oslo or Mrs. Harriman at Hamar this evening as all telephone communication with Norway is cut off at least temporarily.
At my request Consul General Johnson succeeded in seeing Prime Minister tonight who made the following remarks:
“A state of war exists between Germany and Norway just as a state of war existed between Russia and Finland. This is all I can say as to the exact juridical status since Germany has not declared war on Norway and as far as I know Norway has not declared war on Germany. I do not believe the fighting can last long in Norway.
Germany has exerted no pressure upon Sweden but has asked Sweden whether it intends to remain neutral as between Germany and Norway. The Swedish Government has replied that it intends to pursue the same policy of strict neutrality which has been followed since the beginning of the Great War.
As regards the passage of troops through Sweden my attitude remains the same as that outlined in my speech in the Rigsdag in [on] January 17 when I said that no foreign troops would be allowed to pass through Sweden.
Regarding the freedom of movement of Swedish shipping and the possible dependency of Sweden for supplies on Germany I am unable to say anything pending further developments.”
The above is undoubtedly the Government’s attitude today but it is very possible that it may change at any moment depending on developments, such as the success of the British movements in Norway and German pressure on Sweden. Despite Swedish assertions of her intention to defend her neutrality at all costs it must be realized that Sweden is now cut off from essential necessities on the west such as oil and coal and she may, as has apparently Norway, put up only a nominal resistance to German aggression.
- Not printed.↩