740.00112 European War 1939/9205: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 2—6:45 a.m.]
5771. For Department and Stone and Canfield, OEW, from Riefler. As stated in Embassy’s 5750 of August 31, 11 p.m.,89 the Swedish reply to Riefler’s letter of July 9 was presented at MEW this morning. It consisted of a note and a memorandum. The Swedish delegation also gave Foot and Riefler a redraft of the Swedish declaration incorporating both their amendments and those set forth in letter of July 9. In the note, the Swedish Government stated:
- 1.
- That it was now prepared to put the Swedish draft declaration and various letters into effect as amended by Riefler’s letter of July 9, provided that the declarations of the United States and the United Kingdom were fulfilled as drafted.
- 2.
- That, while making the above-mentioned statement, the Swedish
Government added the following reservation:
“In so far as these statements concern Sweden’s relations with the other Nordic countries they are to be regarded as the expression of the Swedish Government’s intentions as the situation is now gauged. In the event of the political position of any of the Nordic countries being essentially changed the Swedish Government must, however, for reasons of principle, reserve their right to liberty of action for the protection of common Nordic interests arising out of the new developments. At the same time the Swedish Government declare themselves prepared to give all possible consideration to the contents of the declaration, even if such developments as cannot now be foreseen occur.”
- 3.
- That experience in application of the draft Swedish declaration since July 1 has prompted the Swedish Government to suggest certain modifications or reservations which are set forth in a memorandum of September 1st. Due to the technical character of these reservations and modifications, it is the suggestion of the Swedish Government that discussion of them take place before tripartite joint standing commission which Swedish Government believes should be established as soon as possible.
- 4.
- That should the American and British Governments agree, the note presented today with the replies thereto will be considered as putting into effect the documents mentioned below: (a) Swedish declaration and four annexes; (b) United Kingdom declaration and two annexes; (c) United States declaration and two annexes; (d) letters concerning: (1) ships; (2) drugs; (3) oil (three letters); (4) Norwegian relief; (5) statistics; (6) machinery and railway trucks.
It should be noted that the latter of these letters is the one previously described as the 3-point letter. For alterations, see last paragraph of memorandum.
Embassy’s comment follows in an additional telegram, and memorandum is being transmitted in Embassy’s clear telegram 5770, 1st.90 Pertinent sections of amended draft Swedish declaration will likewise be telegraphed. [Riefler.]