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

740.00119 E.W./9–2344: Telegram

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

Stockholm, September 23, 1944—7 p.m.
[Received 11:39 p.m.]

3841. Conversations between Lithuanian author Ignas Scheynius and member of German Legation were reported in Legation’s despatches 3554 June 17, 4010 August 31.¹⁷

Scheynius has furnished officer of Legation with memorandum of conversation on August 25 with same German Legation contact, Franz Zuechner. Memorandum is in our opinion trustworthy account of conversation in question although colored by extreme anti-Soviet views which Scheynius holds. He has not yet ascertained beyond doubt whether Zuechner was acting in good faith in making this approach. Paraphrase of pertinent parts of memorandum reads as follows.

Begin paraphrase:

I was visited on August 25 by my German acquaintance who asked me if I would approach American Minister in endeavor obtain information concerning armistice terms and conditions for agreement between Allies and Germany regarding separate peace.

I requested information concerning terms expected by Germans, in order to acquaint myself with German standpoint. I desired to ascertain whether Germans still cherished ideas of expansion eastward. (Legation’s note: see section 2 of memorandum attached to despatch 4010.)

In reply German official said issue at stake was safeguarding of Germany’s old borders and unity. If same conditions as those granted Italy¹⁸ were made basis of dealings between Allies and Germany, discussion grounds would thereby be provided.

I presented following two conditions as basis for my willingness approach American Minister:

1. I must know whether approach was made on behalf of German Government or some one else.

2. If, in case results of present approach were unsatisfactory, German Government intended approach Moscow subsequently in effort obtain more favorable conditions, I would not wish to assist in peace negotiations with American Government. I wished to assure myself of sincerity of Germany’s westward orientation.

With respect my first condition, German official promised reply in few days. He asked me to promise to keep his visit absolutely secret and to take no steps until his reply received. I have heard nothing further from him for over ten days and it is therefore my wish to bring this matter confidentially to knowledge of American authorities.

With respect my second condition, German acquaintance replied that in his belief Germany would not wish to have her freedom of action bound. German Government had to endeavor find best possible way out of present situation. End of paraphrase.

Remainder of memorandum is concerned with Scheynius’ anti-Russian views, with most of which he claims Zuechner was in agreement.

In second memorandum, dated September 14, just received from Scheynius, he states that on Scheynius’ initiative Zuechner again visited him on 13th and in reply to questions asserted that immediately after previous conversation he had informed Berlin authorities of Scheynius’ reply and conditions. He had as yet received no answer but he believed that if conditions had been rejected he would have been informed of that fact. He asserted his visit of August 25 took place with knowledge of German Foreign Ministry and German Legation here and that motive was to gain information by more or less private means about possibilities for separate peace between Germany and western Allies.

In this second conversation Zuechner stated his belief that Berlin has not pursued matter because recent executions have intimidated peace proponents even in circles closest and most loyal to Hitler. He asserted Berlin has lately become extremely pessimistic about chances for separate peace with western Allies and believes they intend to stick to Soviet Union through lack of understanding of European conditions and ignorance of what is in store for Europe.

Scheynius’ second memorandum is mostly concerned with recounting anti-Soviet remarks exchanged between him and Zuechner.

Zuechner holds relatively minor position in cultural section of Kultur Division of German Legation here. He is said to be one of Legation’s Scandinavian experts. He has Norwegian wife and lived in Norway for some years before and during early stages of war. In fall or winter 1941 he was arrested and taken to Berlin where he was tried on charges apparently originating with Reich’s Commissariat for Norway. Exact nature of charges unknown but he was eventually freed but not permitted to return to Norway. He finally turned up in present position, probably through influence of brother in Propaganda Ministry.

Legation has no facts other than foregoing to go on and can only speculate about Zuechner’s real principals. With his background, it seems difficult to believe that his contact was on behalf of German Government. On other hand there is no evidence that Zuechner is in any way connected with executed Von Trott. His approach may have been a very tentative fishing expedition on behalf of some government group.

Legation has made no reply to Scheynius and does not consider approach very serious in view of lack of follow up.

Johnson

[On September 28, 1944, a statement to the Germans by the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force (Eisenhower), was released to the press. See Forrest C. Pogue, The Supreme Command, in the official Army history, United States Army in World War II: The European Theater of Operations (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1954), page 357.]

17. Neither printed.
18. For correspondence relating to the Italian surrender, see Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. ii, pp. 314 ff; for the surrender documents, see Department of State, Treaties and Other International Acts Series (TIAS) No. 1604.