740.00112 European War 1939/1504: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany ( Heath ) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 5—9:55 a.m.]
1670. My 1658, June 4, 1 p.m. Information from other sources raises considerable doubt as to the complete candor of the statement of the German Reich with regard to overseas trade of the Scandinavian and Baltic countries reported in my telegram under reference. It appears that certain Baltic shipowners say that the risk of running the German mine fields is relatively small and one which they would [Page 67] willingly undertake. Recently a rather large ship started through the mine fields but was compelled to turn back by German patrol aircraft and taken to Kiel. Requests for permission to use the port of Trondhjem for Baltic overseas shipments by utilizing Swedish and Norwegian railways was refused on the grounds that Trondhjem was in the war area. Experienced observers also doubt that the Kiel Canal is as occupied by German naval units as claimed. The real objection was possibly revealed by an official who in replying to a request from representatives of an interested country stated that it was understood that the Allies were finding it difficult and expensive to obtain Canadian pulp because of American competition for the Canadian supply and that if American consumption of imported pulp could be largely satisfied by a resumption of shipment of this commodity from the Baltic area more of Canadian production would be available for Allied use.