740.0011 European War 1939/2048: Telegram

The Minister in Sweden ( Sterling ) to the Secretary of State

190. The Minister for Foreign Affairs,19 commenting this morning on Sweden’s position, told me that to the Swedish Government’s reply [Page 151] to the German representations (reference the Legation’s telegram No. 187) was an added sentence not published in the communiqué which was to the effect that Sweden would use every effort to continue neutral attitude in her relations with Germany. This seems to be a slight knuckling under. I asked him bluntly what would Sweden do if Germany exerted pressure to allow transit of troops through Sweden to relieve German forces in Norway. He replied that he would prefer not to answer that question; that events could only determine Swedish policy as the situation developed; but, he added “Sweden is in a very weak position”.

Sterling
  1. Christian B. Günther.