740.58112A/220: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:59 p.m.]
4945. Reference your [Stockholm’s] 529, June 7 to London: 2039 to Department.62
1. Subject to comments British colleague, MEW agrees to amending listing policy in Sweden to list persons guilty of hostile political activities regardless of material vulnerability. In letter of June 20 to British Legation MEW requests it to forward report on cases indicated final paragraph your reference telegram and which fall in categories given in Department’s 4348, June 1 to London (repeated to Stockholm). Regarding type 3 MEW points out that there must be evidence of hostile activities and mere holding of pro-Axis opinions is not sufficient grounds for listing. Regarding type 4 MEW refers to its previous reluctance to list Swedish newspapers for reasons mentioned in paragraph 2(a) of memorandum February 5, 1943, transmitted to Stockholm with London’s letter of February 8. MEW points out, however, clear distinction appears to exist between genuine [Page 178] Swedish newspapers or other publications expressing pro-Nazi views on the one hand, Axis subsidized publications on the other. Regarding question of vulnerability MEW further points out vulnerability in material sense has never been an essential qualification for persons or firms engaged in hostile political activities (e.g. paragraph 3(b) of February 5 memorandum where it was disregarded and 3(a) where it was interpreted broadly). MEW also states material vulnerability in certain cases has been revealed only after names have been specified and consequently other such cases might arise.
[Here follow several paragraphs pertaining to approval of policies or names in time to meet the deadline for the June 30 supplement of the Proclaimed List.]
Repeated to Stockholm as Embassy’s 225, June 21.