740.00112 European War 1939/7466: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Sweden (Greene)
1133. Your 360459 and Department’s 1132, today. British Embassy now confirms that while London desires that demand for release of Norwegian vessels be presented to Swedish Government Monday, the British do not intend to implement the demand with imposition of sanctions or attempt move ships from Göteborg until tankers arrive, provided they are not delayed beyond first fortnight of January.
We consider, therefore, that the British have substantially agreed to our position as set forth in paragraph 2 of Department’s 1108.60
Accordingly, you are authorized to approach the Swedish Foreign Office a day or so subsequent to the British démarche scheduled for Monday and referring to this démarche and to the conversation which you will by then have had with Söderblom in accordance with the [Page 371] Department’s no. 1132 of today, make representations in the sense of section (c) of paragraph 2 of the Department’s 1108.
Repeated to London.