103.9164: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 27—8 a.m.]
8013. To Land, WSA, for Conway and Morse from Reed by Chubb and Brown. Today Weston and ourselves discussed with Samuel-son91 position of Sweden as to participation in U.M.E.B. Samuelson asked several questions as to status of Sweden on Planning Committee and as associate member of Board in the event of their becoming signatory and received our assurances that an unqualified signature would give them status as full members of Planning Committee and associate member of U.M.E.B. Samuelson also inquired what assurances we could give Sweden as to essential import requirements. It was pointed out to him that the supply question was outside the province of U.M.E.B. but that contact could be arranged between Sweden and the appropriate supply authorities. As to the tonnage position on such essential supplies as those bodies made available, Sweden’s position would be as favorable as any other signatory, namely, that subject to certain overall and overriding requirements for tonnage as set forth in Agreement on Principles recognition would be given to Sweden’s essential import shipping requirements. Samuelson also inquired as to the position of Sweden in the berth trades and was told that no commitment could be given as to the continuance of existing berths but that in the administration under U.M.E.B. consideration would undoubtedly be given to berth operation as one of the means of providing essential transportation. We gathered the impression that Samuelson was substantially satisfied by our replies and that he would favor Sweden’s prompt accession.
We again advanced the suggestion that a Swedish delegation should proceed to London prior to our return to Washington so that if possible the matter could be brought to a prompt conclusion. Will advise any further developments. [Reed.]
- A. E. Samuelson, shipping adviser, Swedish Legation in London.↩