868.48/3251: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:06 p.m.]
2420. British Minister informs me that he has received instructions from Foreign Office to bring following to attention of Swedish Government. He had been requested to ascertain beforehand if I had any objection. I told Mr. Mallet that I could think of no objection as inquiries he presented involved no definite commitment which might affect United States nor apparently Great Britain.
British Government in view of Committee of Action for Greek relief now being at work states that it would welcome advice of Committee as to question of admission into Greece of certain articles not covered by terms of special arrangement for Greek relief nor normally admitted through blockade. Surgical dressings, bandages and milk concentrates for children were articles mentioned. British Government felt it necessary in this connection to mention that it has reports that Germans have pillaged medical stores, quinine in particular, have commandeered hospitals and equipment and reserved for occupying forces all available milk in towns.
British observed moreover that substantial quantities of cotton from which bandages can be made are produced in Greece and that in peacetime almost all milk necessary for home consumption is produced in Greece. Information particularly required by British Government concerns (a) degree of present shortage in Greece (in [Page 775] case of foodstuffs, supplies now available for individuals in fact) (b) why such shortage exists (c) statement as to extent locally available supplies [are used?] in most efficient way (d) statement prospects insuring that any goods sent to Greece will be properly controlled and that in future local resources will be properly used.
Mr. Mallet told me that in telegram received from Foreign Office mention had been made of instructions which I would receive on same aspect of Greek relief and he was instructed to support any action I might take in this connection. I told him that I had not yet received instructions to which Foreign Office made reference.