740.00112 European War 1939/9062: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 9—9:42 p.m.]
5232. For Department, Stone and Canfield OEW from Riefler. Reference Department’s 4787, August 7, midnight.
- 1.
- Department’s suggestions given in reference telegram were considered highly constructive by all parties in London and incorporated in the aide-mémoire which was presented to Prytz this afternoon. Prytz seemed highly pleased and did not indicate that we were incorrect in our assumptions. You will note that the first paragraph of the aide-mémoire has been changed slightly in conformity with the latest information received here from our missions in Stockholm.
- 2.
- The aide-mémoire follows:
[Page 801]
His Majesty’s Government and the United States Government have learnt with satisfaction of the Swedish Government’s announcement that the transit traffic through Sweden of German war materials and troops on leave will cease finally on August 15th and August 20th, respectively. They are also glad to learn that the transit of oil will be stopped not later than October 1st. They expect to learn shortly that the transit of other war materials not already covered by existing Swedish legislation is also being stopped and that the transit of non-war materials will be limited to its present annual figure. On the basis of the discussions that have taken place, they assume that this announcement in fact covers all Axis war materials and service personnel, including auxiliary and semi-military forces.
His Majesty’s Government and the United States Government understand from recent Swedish communications that the Swedish Government will be ready to sign an economic agreement shortly after August 20. In view of the action of the Swedish Government in putting into force the stipulations contained in the economic agreement drafted in London and of the statement of the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs to His Majesty’s Minister in Stockholm on July 24 that he had in mind no amendments to that agreement. His Majesty’s Government and the United States Government confidently assume that the agreement which the Swedish Government will be ready to sign shortly after August 20 will be the same in all material particulars as the documents drafted in London, as amended in Mr. Riefler’s letter of July 9, to the Swedish Minister in London. In view of this assumption, His Majesty’s Government and the United States Government intend to continue to carry out their obligations as though the economic agreement had been signed.
Winant