701.0010/39a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Switzerland (Huddle)
597. The United States Government having learned of the availability of the Swedish vessel Drottningholm has accepted the offer of the Swedish Government to charter this vessel for the purpose of effecting exchanges of official personnel between the American Republics and the Axis powers. The charter of the vessel is to cover its voyage from Göteborg to the United States, a round trip to Lisbon, a round trip to Lourenço Marques and a return voyage to Göteborg.
Please request Swiss Government to have its Minister at Berlin inform German Government of the foregoing tomorrow in coordination with delivery by Swedish Minister of similar message from Swedish Government. It is expected that German Government will grant safe conduct which Swedish Government is seeking for voyage of vessel from Göteborg to United States preparatory to commencement of exchange movements and from United States to Göteborg when those movements have been concluded.
Please request further that Swiss Minister at Rome be asked similarly to inform Italian Government urgently of the foregoing arrangements and seek of it assurances of safe conduct of vessel from Sweden to United States and subsequently from United States to Sweden.
The German and Italian Governments may be informed that a similar approach is being made to British Government and maritime powers among the United Nations.44
Reply desired urgently in order that necessary details may be completed without delay.
- Telegram No. 938, March 4, 1942, not printed.↩