740.00112 European War 1939/7466: Telegram
The Chargé in Sweden (Greene) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 18—12:55 p.m.]
3604. I read a paraphrase of Department’s 1108, December 16, 2 p.m.55 to Mallet, Villiers56 and Sporborg57 yesterday. They have now [Page 369] read to me a telegram sent late yesterday to London expressing belief that there is no advantage in postponing ultimatum to Swedish Government. Matter will be taken up immediately with American authorities so will not include full details here. It is not intention to move ships from Goteborg until tankers arrive if they are not delayed beyond first fortnight of January. They are nevertheless particularly anxious to have this in hands of Swedish Government because a full Cabinet meeting will be necessary to consider question and members will shortly be leaving for Christmas holidays. They wish to approach Foreign Office on Monday, December 21. They have asked me to request instructions to accompany Mallet to Foreign Office when matter is presented and associate Legation with him. While I am forwarding expression of their wish, in my opinion in view of our commitment to Boheman it would be better if I approach Foreign Office on a subsequent day referring to visit of British Minister and his associates giving substance of section (c) of paragraph (2) of Department’s 1108 referred to above at same time expressing regret that this action is taken before Boheman’s return and that it was only being done because of his unexpected long delay at Bermuda where he still remained yesterday according to latest information. Forty-eight hours advance notice of this démarche is considered to be provided for in this manner.
Repeated to London.