758.61/10–2644: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State 15
[Received October 26—5 p.m.]
4364. Through a Swedish publicist there has come to us what purports to be an indirect reflection of Foreign Minister Gunther’s views on certain questions of interest to the Soviet Union. In the matter of participation in merchant marine pool, the Minister is said to hold opinion that Swedish negotiators must refuse to enter Sweden in the pool. Reason for this is Swedish Government’s belief that Moscow would not like Swedish participation. The Russians are said to have given the Swedes a broad hint to this effect and to have intimated that in event of refusal, Sweden will receive Russian support. [Page 720] A further indication of Gunther’s cautiousness concerning the Soviet Union is noted in his having had the Swedish newspapers instructed to tone down their depiction of Baltic developments as being tragic. His general guiding principle in Sweden’s present position is reported to be a determination to follow the Russian line rather than the Anglo-American line whenever the two are contradictory.
- The Minister in Sweden, upon instructions from the Department, repeated this telegram to London as No. 1408, November 2, 10 a.m.↩