Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, General: Economic and Social Matters, Volume II

740.59112A/7–2244: Telegram

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

Stockholm, July 22, 1944—7 p.m.
[Received 7:40 p.m.]

2737. Department’s A–177, July 6.⁶⁶ Legation believes it advisable not at this time to submit to Department information already compiled on Denmark and Norway.

Files on Denmark are generally result of one man’s investigations and opinions and both Legation and Freedom Council believe that in present state use of such information might be both unfair and have undesirable consequences. In cooperation with Danish Freedom Council in Stockholm and British Legation check on and expansion of files is now being made. It is hoped that information which is being obtained in Denmark will soon be available to make it possible to transmit fairly complete files within near future.

Concerning Norwegian files Legation has experienced serious difficulties with Norwegian Legation Stockholm. During early part this year request was made to Norwegian Legation whether information in its files could be made available. Norwegian Legation referred this to its Department of Justice London who refused proposal.

This Legation requested matter be raised again in view of fact that Norwegian firms through their contacts in Sweden are in position to enter into possible post-war trade agreements with Allied firms. Department of Justice authorized submission of information to this Legation in particular cases where we make requests. However request during month of April was not answered and accordingly Legation employed Norwegian to work up files. Question has now been raised again, in view of Norwegian Legation’s disapproval, of our man contacting Norwegian visiting Sweden.

We have repeated requests for closer cooperation and have been advised this will be obtained in future. Accordingly it is hoped Norwegian files will progress more satisfactorily.

My 734, July 22, 7 p.m. repeats this message to London.

Johnson

66. Not printed; it referred to Legation’s telegram 2312, June 26, 9 p.m., from Stockholm, p. 178, and suggested that the Legation make duplicate copies of reports on persons and firms in Denmark who had collaborated with the enemy, and transmit same to the Department since “these records may be of immediate value to the Department and other agencies of the Government upon cessation of hostilities.” (740.59112A/6–2644)