868.48/3322: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)61
5701. The Legation at Stockholm reports that the Swedish Chargé d’Affaires at Athens has urged that the Swedish vessels Mongabarra, [Page 791] now unloading at Piraeus, and Hallaren, which has been operating in the Eastern Mediterranean, be sent to Trieste to load and transport to Greece certain foods which the Germans and Italians are stated to be prepared to supply in compensation for native Greek products consumed by the occupying troops. These are said to include: from the Italians, 2,500 tons of cereal; from the Germans, 15,000 tons pulse; 15,000 tons sugar; 20 to 25,000 tons potatoes, and 5,000 tons of seed potatoes.
This proposal is agreeable to this Government provided the British Government concurs and on the understanding that: 1) a Swedish observer would be placed on board these vessels; 2) these supplies would be distributed to the Greek people in conformity with the conditions of the relief scheme; and 3) the vessels would be used solely for the transportation of these supplies and returned to their present status as soon as that operation is completed.
It is assumed that the Greek and British Governments would make appropriate stipulations as regards the payment of the freight on these vessels and that the latter would take the necessary action as regards granting of safe-conduct.
Repeated to Stockholm for information and for communication to the Swedish Foreign Office if and when the British Minister receives similar instructions.
Please communicate foregoing to appropriate British authorities.
- Repeated to the Minister in Sweden as telegram No. 988, November 13, midnight.↩