Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, General, Volume I

740.00119 E.W./9–1244: Telegram

The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Stockholm, September 12, 1944—10 p.m.
[Received September 13—1:34 a.m.]

3631. In connection with reports published in German press of September 11 concerning execution of seven additional Germans for alleged complicity in July 20th plot, and allegation that Trott zu Solz was in contact with the Allies in Sweden, Legation has learned the following facts.

According to a member of British Legation staff, Trott, who was in Washington in ’40⁸ and who was quarter American, was assigned to Far Eastern Division of German Foreign Office. He came to Stockholm about beginning of November ’43, allegedly for Xmas shopping, and stayed with Swedish woman who is pro-German and on good terms with non-Nazi members of German Legation, but is also friendly to several members of British Legation staff. Obviously on instructions from Trott, she talked to member of British Legation. She represented Trott as saying Germans would rather come to terms with British than Russians because former understood Germany and Europe better. However, he thought Russians had a plan for Europe and Germany and wanted to know if British and Americans had plans made. He desired to learn whether British and Americans on one hand and Russians on other really had solid working agreement or whether forthcoming Moscow Conference⁹ was pure superficial window dressing. Swedish woman who acted as intermediary represented Trott as speaking for opposition group and indicated there might be further developments if British had plan and appeared willing to discuss terms with opposition.

No reply was given except that views would be reported to London, which was done. Subsequently, in March this year Trott again reappeared in Stockholm,¹⁰ this time to visit liver specialist, and through same intermediary repeated much the same views to British Legation member with slightly more favorable accent on possibilities of coming to terms with Russians who were fighting hard at fronts whereas British and Americans were killing civilians at home. British Legation again made clear it was interested in listening but had nothing to say in reply.

Apparently British Secret Service made some attempt to find out who Trott’s principals were but without success. London Foreign Office inclined to view that he was probably Gestapo agent seeking to ferret out views in Allied circles. British Legation inclined to feel he represented bona fide opposition group. Nothing further was ever heard from him according to our British informant.

Other than foregoing story, Legation has nothing so far to substantiate headline allegations in Swedish press that contact was made with “Allied” representatives in Stockholm by executed opposition group in Germany.

Johnson

8. Trott had arrived in the United States in November 1939 as a result of an invitation to attend a conference of the Institute of Pacific Relations at Virginia Beach, Virginia.
9. Reference here is to the Tripartite Conference of Foreign Ministers, held in Moscow, October 18–November 1, 1943; for correspondence, see Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. i, pp. 513 ff.
10. See telegram 2309, June 26, 9 p.m., from Stockholm, p. 523.