740.00112 European War 1939/9149:
Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
London, August 22,
1943.
[Received August 22—6:15 a.m.]
5518. From Riefler for Department and Stone OEW. The Swiss Minister in
London has today handed Foot and me a memorandum as follows in response
to our memorandum cited in my No. 5402 of August 17, 9 p.m.:
- “(1) M. Thurnheer had not failed to communicate and to
recommend to his Government the contents of the memorandum
which was handed to him by Mr. Foot and Minister Riefler on
August 17, 1943, in regard to the resumption of blockade
facilities for foodstuffs and the return of the Swiss Trade
Delegation to London.
- (2) M. Thurnheer is now in receipt of a cable from Bern
containing the Swiss Government’s acceptance to the above
memorandum, together with the following undertakings:
-
a.
- Add paragraph 2 (I) of the Allied note:
Limitations on Swiss exports to other Axis
countries, as proposed in paragraph 2, II a and b
of the Swiss proposals of July 30, are being
enforced forthwith with retroactive effect as from
July 1st, 1943, M. Thurnheer begs leave to add that
restrictions on exports to Germany have already been
enforced as from July 1st and August 1st,
respectively, as already announced
previously.
-
b.
- Add paragraph 2 (II) of Allied note. The Swiss
Government are in agreement with this
provision.
-
c.
- Add paragraph 3 (III) of the Allied note: In
regard to Swiss franc facilities, measures have
already been taken by the Swiss authorities, of
which His Majesty’s Legation and the Bank of England
have been informed. The Swiss Government are
prepared to grant further similar facilities; it
being however expected that these sums will be
brought into account in the projected financial
arrangement.
- (3) On this basis, the Swiss Government take it that
import facilities will again be granted as proposed by the
Allied note. In this connection Bern are raising the
question as to a quota for fodder, as a counterpart to the
proposed prohibitions and restrictions on Swiss exports on
daily produce and cattle.
- (4) Bern will be glad to receive the list of agenda which,
according to the Allied memorandum, is now being prepared by
His Majesty’s and the U. S. Governments. Bern will then make
the necessary
[Page 866]
preparations for a speedy return of the delegation for
discussions in London.
- (5) M. Thurnheer is glad to see that these discussions
have now led to a positive result; he wishes to take this
opportunity to express to Mr. Foot and Minister Riefler his
sincere thanks for the kindness shown to him in this
connection.”
The foregoing memorandum has reached us almost simultaneously with news
of the unfortunate and unexpected developments described in telegrams
5049 and 5056 of August 18 from Bern to the Department54 repeated here. In view of these developments see my
following telegram No. 551955 on tactics to be pursued.
Meanwhile I quote as follows a memorandum we had drawn up listing
subjects for the proposed agenda on which I should appreciate your
comment:
“His Majesty’s Government and the U. S. Government wish to see
the following subjects included in the agenda for the
forthcoming negotiations with the Swiss trade delegation:
[Here follows text of proposed agenda, not printed. For revised agenda,
see telegram No. 6048, September 11, from the Ambassador in the United
Kingdom, printed on page 872.]
