740.00119 EW 1939/11–1444: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:58 p.m.]
4669. Another approach by Zuechner of German Legation has been reported to Legation by Scheynius, with reference to conversations reported in Legation’s 3841 September 23, 7:00 p.m. and 4170 October 13, 10:00 p.m.
Latest visit by Zuechner occurred on November 6 and Scheynius reports that Zuechner was in best of spirits in sharp contrast to earlier visits. German inquired if any reply had been received from American sources. Scheynius said no and expressed belief no response could be expected until Germany defeated. Zuechner was undisturbed by this remark and replied that “western Allies will still face greater troubles even if they win war. They will still confront tremendous problem of working amicably with Russia.” He added, “Actually, German Government’s earlier desire to learn western Allies peace conditions is no longer important as situation has taken decided turn for better for Germany.”
Scheynius reports Zuechner made foregoing statement in natural manner and without display of bravado and was quite willing to explain this alleged change of feeling. Explanation lies in new weapons with which Germany now sure it can win war including new antiaircraft and antitank guns which will have devastating effect on enemy. When Scheynius deliberately deprecated importance of new weapons, Zuechner seriously replied that German Army experts who had seen them expected good results. Scheynius was impressed by Zuechner’s apparent earnestness and confidence. Latter had formerly been mysterious in speaking of new weapons but was open and frank on this occasion. He asserted manufacture and distribution of new devices proceeding rapidly and numerous German army units already equipped but weapons would not be used until “sufficient number of units” were supplied. When Scheynius attempted to obtain details of new weapon’s nature, Zuechner became reserved and changed subject. Discussing war generally, Zuechner asserted Germany’s situation was “not so bad” and that though Red Armies might take Budapest and Vienna, Russia would be forced to give up all this territory. He stated “We shall defeat Soviets in due course but it is of far greater importance to us to first conquer Western Allies.”
Describing difficulties of Russian lines of communication through Balkans and Carpathians, Zuechner again asserted that “our first task is to overcome enemy attacking from west. Second objective is to defeat Russians and with assistance of our new weapons Russians [Page 564] will finally suffer greater catastrophe than they inflicted on us at Stalingrad”.
When conversation turned to conditions and morale in German Legation, Zuechner said sentiment had recently changed perceptibly and situation is now stabilized with no more desertions expected. He said several prominent Germans recently visited Stockholm but refused to identify them. Scheynius believed Zuechner’s changed outlook was probably connected with these visits which had aimed at bolstering spirits of Stockholm Germans.
This conversation seems to put an end for the present to whatever objective may have been aimed at in Zuechner’s previous approaches. Legation believes Scheynius’ report is reliable and accordingly deduces that German “shot in the arm” technique of building hopes around new weapons has been locally successful. Conversation does not seem to add any real information concerning new weapons.
One perhaps noteworthy feature of conversation was entire absence of any implication that Germans might be considering separate peace with Russians.