Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, Europe, Volume IV

740.00112 European War 1939/10502: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State

London, April 9, 1944—midnight.
[Received April 9—8:38 p.m.]

2902. From the Ambassador and Riefler. Reference Department’s 2764, April 8.

1. British are prepared subject to one point to instruct Mallet to support Washington démarche.

2. They are not happy about clause threatening SKF and must clear with supply authorities before they can give a definite commitment to associate themselves with this clause.

3. British are sending instructions to Mallet to support démarche if this clause is omitted.

4. British suggest that note be delivered without clause immediately thereby gaining maximum effect because it will be confined to constructive inducements to the Swedes.

5. Threat to SKF could be conveyed subsequently either to Swedish Government or to SKF Company or both. It could be conveyed on an agreed basis by the British and ourselves or as a unilateral American move, if British final views should be adverse and Washington should still want to go ahead.

6. British will ask Russians to associate themselves with démarche.

7. British would suggest waiting until Tuesday⁷⁸ or Wednesday before presentation to give Russians opportunity to associate themselves with démarche.

8. Repeated to Stockholm as 120. [Winant and Riefler.]

Winant

78. April 11.