Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, Europe, Volume II

740.00112 European War 1939/8218: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)³⁵

Washington, April 20, 1943—11 p.m.

2514. For Canfield. Reference your 2645 and 2669, April 15,³⁶ and Department’s 2287, April 10.

1. Quoted passage in Department’s 2287, April 10, need not be incorporated in invitation to be extended to Swedish delegation.

2. Department and Board of Economic Warfare suggest that the invitation to be extended to the Swedish Government be made jointly by us and the British Government and you should arrange for our Minister in Stockholm to act in concert with his British colleague in presenting the invitation to the Swedish Foreign Office.

3. We agree that in addition to other matters the invitation should include a general statement to the effect that the discussions will cover all considerations arising out of Swedish exports and imports and any problems which have arisen in the past few months and to which no complete or satisfactory solution has yet been found. In case the Swedes become alarmed at the broad language suggested, we are requesting our Minister to reassure them that no new conditions or demands are intended.

4. We believe that you are in a better position to work out the exact phraseology of the invitation in collaboration with the British than we are in Washington. Our general views are expressed in Department’s 293 of March 10 to Stockholm repeated to London, and Department’s 2287 of April 10 to London. Your understanding expressed in your 2669 of April 15 is in general correct but a separate telegram relating to the transit traffic is being sent.³⁷

Hull

35. Repeated on the same date to the Minister in Sweden as telegram No. 489, with the following opening sentences: “Following message has been sent to London. Your attention is directed to that part of paragraph 3 relating to reassuring the Swedes that no new conditions or demands are involved in the suggested sweeping language of the invitation.”
36. Neither printed.
37. Telegram No. 2587, infra.