868.48/3173: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:40 p.m.]
1765. My 1694, July 3, 4 p.m. British Minister has now submitted a further aide-mémoire concerning Greek relief to Foreign Office. He has pointed out that British Government does not approve suggestion that wheat received from Canada be sold to so called “Ministère de Ravitaillement” at Athens at 21 drachma per kilogram as a means of covering certain administrative expenses in Greece although are agreeable to certain small charges to cover essential costs. British Government fears that by distribution on a commercial basis through agency of an enemy controlled administration, this would lead to many complications. It expresses hope Swedish Government will judge question in light of this principle and not be bound by precedent established by International Red Cross in case of wheat shipped from Near East.
While willing to consider sympathetically recommendations made by Swedish Government in light of experience to extend relief scheme to other commodities British Government gives no guarantee of their acceptance.
It agrees to distribution of medical goods freely admitted through blockade if Swedish Government is satisfied that goods will be distributed under conditions of control acceptable to British Government. British Government would welcome efforts to end that native Greek products as well as imported wheat be distributed on equitable basis for benefit of Greek population to prevent misappropriation or misdirection of native produce by occupational authorities misuse of which would be as harmful as that of foodstuffs arriving from overseas.
British Minister at same time he submitted this aide-mémoire informed Foreign Office that Swedish ship Stureholm chartered some months ago by British Government and operated by International Red Cross to carry wheat from Haifa to Greece was struck by a German aerial torpedo and sank on a return trip to Haifa last month, and a certain number of Swedish lives were lost. Ship was struck while brilliantly lighted and carrying Red Cross insignia. Mallet stated to me confidentially but has not informed Swedish Government that this ship was 30 miles off its course. A protest will be made to German Government nevertheless by International Red Cross.