740.00112 European War 1939/8880: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 14—4:30 a.m.]
2185. When Boheman gave Mallet and me this afternoon text of aide-mémoire which Swedish Minister London is to give American Embassy on [and] BEW he made a number of oral statements which he said were purposely in that form and requested that they be transmitted to our Governments:
1. It is Swedish intention to inform Germans within a few weeks, which Boheman said meant literally that and suggested it might be 3 weeks, that all traffic in military personnel and in war materials must be terminated. War materials are those which are included in terms of Swedish-German transit agreement and in conformity with Geneva list of 1935.73 Boheman stated that it is intention of Swedish Government, in short time remaining before this announcement is made to Germans, to increase their military preparations gradually all over the country, these preparations to be spread out in an endeavor to attract as little attention as possible and to be completed by time announcement is made to Germans. In this connection Boheman stated that during trade negotiations in Stockholm with Germans which have just terminated, Germans were advised that transit question would soon be taken up.
In regard to transit of oil to which we and British attach greatest importance, Boheman commented that this situation is difficult for Sweden as Sweden has nothing to invoke in bringing matter up with Germans. It is Swedish Government’s intention however to make every possible endeavor to stop oil shipments altogether by October 1. He commented that amount is nothing in comparison with German shipments by sea to Narvik, 160,000 tons on that traffic and ships do not go to Narvik empty. Most other items on our extended war materials list not included in official Swedish list, which is basis of Swedish-German transit agreement, Boheman stated are already in practice prohibited and fully 80% will be stopped altogether at same time as transit agreement is denounced to Germans. Remaining items will be stopped as soon as possible.
In regard to reduction of German non-war material shipments to Finland and Norway to 120,000 tons Boheman states that practical [Page 787] situation is somewhat different to that of item mentioned above. He referred to fact that when he was in London during last October and November he had undertaken to reduce this traffic to 200,000 tons, that is 100 [100,000] to Finland and one [100,000] to Norway, and that this undertaking had been kept; that explanation given to Germans at time was lack of railway capacity. Now however with denunciation of traffic in war materials it will be extremely difficult to say to Germans that railway capacity is reduced to 120,000 tons. Swedish Government cannot therefore give any definite undertaking on this point but will make every possible endeavor to diminish it.
Items in London draft declaration regarding (1) Falsterbo Canal and (2) escort of ships are fully agreed to by Swedish Government.
2. War trade.
Swedes in accordance with declaration given in London have already refused any new credit to Germany (see my 2126, July 8, 8 p.m., and 2127, July 9, 10 a.m.74). Likewise in accordance with spirit of declaration they have considerably diminished their trade with Denmark and have sent home with empty hands Bulgarian delegation which was recently here with offers very tempting for Sweden. Negotiations with Finland now going on for trade agreement for second half 1943 will be concluded in accordance with London declaration. Definite steps have been taken to stop entirely repair of German cars and Axis ships. These measures should be fully effective as soon as work on ships now on hand is completed. Principles set forth in London declarations will also be followed in principle in trade negotiations for 1944.
3. Boheman pointed out that all foregoing represent radical changes in direction of Swedish trade policy since April of 1940. This change Swedish Government does not wish to confirm in a formal agreement before complicated transit question has been liquidated. He said that decision to terminate traffic at an earlier date than that proposed in London declaration might seem to be to Sweden’s disadvantage in that it will give rise at least to danger of earlier stopping Gothenburg traffic. Swedish Government has taken all this into consideration but prefers to run risk of such losses and to terminate traffic entirely as a unilateral act rather than as result of a formal agreement which Swedish Government according to Boheman considers in some degree humiliating.
Swedish Government he said would greatly welcome it if steps could be taken for an immediate constitution of joint standing committee on a trilateral basis so that Allied Governments might be [Page 788] informed through their own sources of Sweden’s action and assure themselves that carrying out of Swedish policy was in accord with London declaration. In reply to a question from me Boheman said he did not consider fact that United States was not a party to Anglo-Swedish war trade agreement would be any impediment to American representation and remarked that our representation could be easily effected by an exchange of notes.
4. Boheman said finally there were two special matters which he wanted to mention, (1) the fishing boats; he said Swedish authorities have made thorough study of whole situation and as result Government is determined not to prevent remainder of these boats from leaving. Swedish Government is convinced these boats are genuine fishing boats and information in British Admiralty to contrary is wrong. In order to show their good faith they are entirely willing that Captain Denham, British Naval Attaché and some other representative (Townsend, representative of Lloyd’s at Gothenburg was suggested) together with an expert from London personally examine fishing boats. He said, however, that Government’s decision would not be altered by result of that examination. They are convinced that Captain Denham’s theory is entirely wrong and in effect reject entire British thesis on these boats as unfounded in fact. He also said that an American representative would be welcome if he desired to go. (2) Regarding inspection of ships bringing oil to Sweden under agreement, he said Swedish Government had no objection to Petroleum Attaché carrying out any inspection he desired and remarked that Saturnus had already arrived and that Petroleum Attaché could make inspection when he wished.
5. Boheman expressed hope of Swedish Government that American and British Governments would realize very far extent to which Swedes had gone in endeavoring to meet their views and felt confident that they would recognize Sweden’s desire to live up fully to principles of London declarations. He likewise expressed formally on behalf of Swedish Government their deep appreciation of consideration, kindness, and helpfulness of American and British officials in London who had conducted negotiations leading to agreement. All members of Swedish Delegation have expressed privately to me their appreciation for attitude they encountered in London on part of American and British representatives. They were impressed by their ability as well as their good faith and personal friendliness in these difficult negotiations.
Repeated to London as my 377.
- Reference is uncertain: it may be to list in Arms Traffic Convention, signed at Geneva, June 17, 1925. For text, see Foreign Relations, 1925, vol. i, p. 61. This convention was ratified by the United States, June 21, 1935, with a reservation, and did not come into effect; for correspondence, see ibid., 1935, vol. i, pp. 452 ff.↩
- Neither printed.↩