740.00112 European War 1939/10502: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
2828. For the Ambassador and Riefler.
1. With reference to your 2902 and 2903 of April 9,82 we are pleased that Foot and Warner83 found it possible to act so promptly in instructing Mallet to join in Johnson’s démarche in Stockholm. We attach the greatest importance to the immediate delivery of the note, particularly in view of policy towards neutral trade with the enemy expressed in the Secretary’s speech last night.84 Because of our desire to secure full British support, we agree to the omission of the clause specifically threatening SKF. The language for the paragraph containing that clause should read as follows:
“On the other hand the American Government states quite frankly that if its desires in the matter, which vitally concern the lives of countless American soldiers, are not met, serious consideration will be given to all measures at the disposal of the American Government.”
We assume that this is acceptable to the British and that Mallet will be promptly instructed to support Johnson fully.
Both Department and FEA are of strong opinion that the Swedish authorities should be apprised of this Government’s willingness to specifically consider black-listing SKF as among measures referred to in foregoing paragraph quoted. We must therefore reserve full freedom of action with respect to later conveyance to Swedish Government of this position if necessary. We trust that the British will urgently reexamine their ability to join in such a declaration which, while we are agreeing to delete from note, we believe should be as promptly as possible communicated orally to the Swedish authorities in Stockholm subsequent to delivery of note. While we are hopeful [Page 498] British will feel that upon basis of reexamination with their supply authorities they can join us in such later declaration, you should impress them with our intention to follow up note with oral declarations in this sense made unilaterally if British find it impossible to join.
2. Johnson is accordingly instructed to consult with Mallet and prepare a joint note including the paragraph quoted above, to be delivered not later than 12th. If the Russians agree to support the Anglo-American démarche, no harm would, we think, result from their representations following ours by a day or so.
3. Sent to London for information of Ambassador; repeated to Stockholm for action as Department’s no. 629 of April 10.