740.00112 European War 1939/5787: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:16 p.m.]
1560. With reference to current negotiations between Swedes and British in London concerning a possible increase in quota of oil imports to Sweden, Boheman last night gave me in strictest confidence an English text of Swedish-German transit agreement16 which from Sweden’s point of view must necessarily be a basis for Anglo-Swedish negotiations. A full summary follows:
Date July 1 [8], 1940.
- (a)
- Goods from Denmark and Germany to Norway and vice versa will be permitted through Sweden on terms agreed to between technicians but this must not interfere with Sweden’s transport requirements.
- (b)
- Licenses issued in accordance with Swedish law must be issued for transit of war material.
- (c)
- Members of German forces on leave status may pass through Sweden between Norway and Germany or Denmark on conditions to be agreed upon. They may be in uniform but must be without military equipment.
Transit conditions for soldiers on leave were clarified in special notes which were exchanged on July 18 [8], 1940, which contain following provisions: Personnel restricted to those on home leave traveling from quarters in Norway to Germany and back when leave is over. One train per day permitted over Kornsjö–Trelleborg in each direction. One train a week between Narvik and Trelleborg each direction. German authorities undertake to issue instructions that rifles and pistols of private soldiers traveling on these trains shall be left at quarters in Norway.
September 1940, trains between Narvik and Trelleborg are increased to two and exceptionally to three per week both directions. Halsingborg may be used instead of Trelleborg if desired. Text by air pouch.
- Actually by two exchanges of notes on July 8, 1940; for texts, see documents Nos. 132 and 133 in Documents on German Foreign Policy, 1918–1945, series D, vol. x, (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1957), pp. 158 and 159.↩