868.48/3350b: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
5767. Legation at Stockholm has been informed by the Swedish Foreign Office that German Government has now consented to supply of foodstuffs to Aegean islands in conformity with Greek relief scheme. It is proposed that one of Swedish relief ships unload at Smyrna where arrangements would be made to store grain, which would be transported to islands in motor sailboats furnished by German navy and manned by Greek crews and distributed under control of International Red Cross representative in Turkey. Legation reports further that the Germans declare Crete should be provisioned from Kalamata and Swedish Chargé Athens inquires whether the steamer Camelia might unload at that port which is said to have storage facilities for about 6,000 tons grain. Germans [Page 792] suggest that a 60 [600?] ton Swedish vessel be made available to carry grain from Kalamata to Crete and Swedish Chargé believes such vessel might also be used between Piraeus and Cyclades.
This Government is prepared to agree to the first of these proposals, if the British find them satisfactory, and will be glad to instruct the Embassy at Ankara to indicate to the Turkish Government our interest in the use of Smyrna as a distribution base, if such action seems desirable. As regards the second proposal, we have no objections in principle, but should like information regarding the arrangements contemplated for the chartering and fueling of the 60 [600?] ton Swedish vessel which it is proposed to use.
Repeated to Ankara for information and to Stockholm for information and appropriate action in consultation with British Legation.
Please take up with competent British authorities.