840.48 Refugees/4522: Telegram

The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

3149. Foreign Office states it learned yesterday from what is considered authentic sources that Germans plan to send Silohous [sic] and Jews from Denmark to Reich. Only newspaper item covering this today was short reference in editorial in Svenska Dagbladet which said that recent Danish refugees coming to Sweden believe that by this threat Germans are trying to blackmail King and Danish Parliament to establish legal government.

Foreign Office has instructed its Minister in Berlin today to approach German Government and state that if this transfer were put into effect it would have very unfortunate effect on public opinion in Sweden. Minister is instructed to state Swedish Government is prepared to receive these Jews in Sweden and if German Government fears they might exercise influence of political nature Swedish Government [Page 359] is prepared to intern them. Foreign Office has asked for immediate reply and hopes to have something today.

Johnson