740.00112 European War 1939/9726: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:59 p.m.]
3900. Mallet and I have just seen Mr. Boheman21 and delivered to him a joint memorandum embodying substance of statement agreed between our Embassy and London and Ministry of Economic Warfare embodied in London’s 335, November 25, 8 p.m. (London’s 8244, November 25 to Department).22 Boheman said that memorandum would be submitted to Government and that his following comments could be taken as an expression only of his personal views.
He made general observation that Swedish Government had agreed to figure of 9,900,000 tons of iron ore export to Germany for 1943 and that it would live up to this agreement, necessary measures having been taken to that end. He admitted that figures up to present were alarmingly near ceiling point. Only specific comment he made was on point 3 of our joint request for assurances. He regards this in nature of a “new demand”, remarking that Sweden had agreed to figure of 7,000,000 tons iron ore export for 1944 and that this obligation would be met. I pointed out that this proposed ceiling for first quarter of 1944 was based on average for first quarter of shipments in 1941 and 1942 but Boheman would not admit that we had any right or ground for making this demand, his stand being that we have only right to demand that Sweden live up to expressed terms of her trade agreement.
Regarding high figure of export of iron ore already reached for 1943 which we told him had greatly disturbed both Washington and London, he said that Swedes likewise were concerned about it. He said that reasons for heavy pile-up were (1) failure of Allies and specifically of British to interfere with German shipments from [Page 823] Narvik (he remarked parenthetically that British at London had told Swedish authorities they would “take care of Narvik”), (2) no disturbances in Baltic such as had occurred last year and had impeded iron ore traffic, (3) unusually mild weather resulting in no freezing in Baltic.
I had impression that Boheman and Swedish Government fully realize nature of the iron negotiations under war trade agreement to restrict iron ore shipments as much as possible under specified ceilings. Boheman was emphatic, however, in saying that his Government had every intention of meeting its obligations in this respect both this year and next and that we are not justified in now putting forward a new condition before there has been actual breach of agreement. Among measures which his Government has taken to impede shipment of iron ore he mentioned railway repairs at Lulea which he said had in effect reduced volume. He mentioned twice Allied failure to handle Narvik situation which he said was beyond control of Sweden.
My 790 to London repeats this telegram.