868.48/3319
The Financial Counselor of the British Embassy (Stopford) to the Assistant Secretary of State (Long)
My Dear Mr. Long: I am writing with reference to the Department’s memorandum of July 28th on the subject of Greek Relief shipments of Swedish vessels. We have recently received some telegrams from London which I think you will find of interest. In the first, London inform us that the Swedish controllers were due [Page 779] to arrive in Greece on August 26th. Two further shipments were to have sailed about August 29th from Canada, and three more when the Commission so advises. At the date when London sent these, that is to say, August 30th, no export license applications had been referred to the Ministry of Economic Warfare, either in respect to medical supplies or in respect of milk.
The Greek Government have urged the shipment of two or three tons of pulse a month on Swedish vessels replacing wheat if necessary. The Commission have been asked to report on the question. If the report is satisfactory and favourable, London are disposed to agree subject to supply possibilities and to the views of the United States Government.
London expect requests for milk concentrates for children and for bandages and surgical dressings which are at present excluded from the terms of the concession. Meanwhile they think that an obstinate refusal would be mistaken, as they feel that they cannot either (a) treat Greece conspicuously better than other occupied countries or (b) make good Axis depredations. The British authorities therefore propose to consult the Commission in this matter.
London had already stressed the importance of the condition reserving Greek foodstuffs for the Greek people and referred to reports of Axis requisitioning of oil and exported vegetable produce this season. They would most warmly welcome a similar approach by the U.S. Government and have asked the British Minister at Stockholm to support this when made.
You will also be interested in a telegram addressed by the Minister of Economic Warfare to the British Minister in Stockholm on this and related questions. I therefore attach a copy44 for your information.
Yours sincerely,
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