740.00112 European War 1939/7882: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 24—2:10 p.m.]
617. With respect to reopening of Göteborg traffic Boheman tells me that Swedish Foreign Office is taking position with Germans that traffic will be resumed as soon as two Norwegian ships have left. He indicated this position is based upon an explanation made by Germans when they closed traffic to effect that they were unwilling to accept any responsibility for safety of ships in Göteborg traffic when there existed possibility of confusing them with Norwegian vessels. Boheman says that his Government is greatly embarrassed by continued delay in departure of ships and cannot understand in view of British pleas of urgency on basis supply needs why their departure is being delayed as weather conditions become continuously worse for such a venture rather than better.