740.59112A/9–1144: Telegram

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

1934. You should continue to collect information of the type discussed in your 3567 [3607], September 11. With regard to British objections stated in second paragraph of your reference telegram, Department did not contemplate a “black list” in the usual sense when it approved, in its A–177, July 6,90 the project described in your 2312, June 26. While recognizing that the countries which have been or are occupied are primarily concerned with the treatment of collaborationists within their borders, this Government is interested in seeing that neither such persons nor their assets find refuge here and that any of their assets which may be located here are not released from existing controls without a sufficient review of the pertinent facts. The information would also be of value in connection with the project described in the circular airgram of August 2391 since such persons would be likely to promote enemy attempts to secrete assets abroad. In furtherance of these purposes the Department desires to obtain all available information of the nature under discussion.

Repeated to London92 with instructions to report the views of MEW following further discussion in light of the points made herein.

Hull
  1. See footnote 66, p. 180.
  2. Post, p. 220.
  3. As telegram No. 7883.