740.00112 European War 1939/10510a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union ( Harriman )
861. In association with the British we are planning to make a démarche in Stockholm within the next few days with a view to effecting the maximum possible reductions in Swedish exports of ball bearings to the enemy. We will offer the Swedish Government various inducements to meet our desires in this matter.
[Page 496]The British have suggested and we concur that it would be most helpful if the Soviet Government would support our démarche and we understand the British are approaching the Soviet Government in this connection immediately although we are not informed as to the details of the approach. You are authorized to confer with your British colleague79 and join with him in your discretion in any approach he may make to the Soviet Government in this matter.
You may if you wish inform the Soviet Government that only the urgency of the matter, which we are sure they will appreciate, prevented us from conferring with it before making the démarche.
Repeated to London as our 2829 for information. Repeated to Stockholm as No. 635.
- Sir Archibald J. K. Clark Kerr, British Ambassador in the Soviet Union.↩