Office of the Historian

740.58112A/205: Telegram

The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State 58

Stockholm, June 7, 1944—9 p.m.
[Received June 7—8:06 p.m.]

2039. Department’s 1078, June 1, 4 p.m.59 Legation is in full concurrence with Department’s instructions concerning recommendations for listing of notoriously pro-Nazi persons regardless of their vulnerability to economic sanctions. However, submission of such recommendations by this Legation’s CAS60 would not at this time appear advisable except for few cases. Basis for this is that British Legation would not be in position to approve them as it has not received similar instructions.

Legation feels that one of ways for improving effectiveness of list at this time would be to include names of known pro-Nazis in order to point out to Swedes that we are not avoiding listings on the basis of special considerations. At present time Swedish business circles are paying considerably more attention to list as result of recent publicity, inclusion of large number of names in Swedish list, distribution of Russell’s speech and new copies of list. This is evidenced by large increase in number of firms requesting Legation’s approval of transactions before they are entered into and increased desire of those included to be deleted. At this time to include known Nazis and firms known to have traded in past or those now trading with enemy on substantial basis would constitute necessary reply to criticism of our lists that they are not directed to including all our “enemies” but that special trade and other considerations rather than true listing considerations often guide our policy.

Accordingly Legation should appreciate it if this matter could be discussed with MEW and if instructions similar to those received from Department could be transmitted to British Legation. In order that relatively large number of cases including principally those qualifying for listing on basis Department’s 1078 can be included next publication Legation should appreciate early action.

My 2039, June 7, 9 p.m. to Department repeats this message.

Johnson
  1. This telegram, No. 2039, was sent to London by the Minister in Sweden as No. 529, June 7.↩
  2. See footnote 53, p. 172.↩
  3. Controlled American Source.↩