740.00112 European War 1939/10529: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Sweden (Johnson)
666. Your 1265, April 13. We await with interest your further reports of any indications of what the Swedish reply may be.
The following thoughts are submitted for your background guidance and such use as you think fitting in the event that you should meanwhile have any conversations on the subject with Boheman or other Swedish officials:
1. We have noticed that in discussions regarding limitations on Swedish trade with the enemy Swedish officials frequently remark [Page 505] that if and when the British and Americans open a safe line of communication between Sweden and the outside world through, for example, Norway, Swedish dependence on German supplies will become of little or no importance and consequently Sweden at that time would be in a position to take drastic steps with respect to reductions in Swedish exports to the enemy.
We think this very shortsighted thinking: The Swedes might well bear in mind that when this war has advanced to that stage the Allies will be able to take measures of their own to prevent German trade in the Baltic and accordingly unilateral action by Sweden to this end though possibly welcome will not be necessary. Hence such action could not be regarded as a satisfactory quid pro quo for concessions on our part or for concessions in connection with long-term Swedish desiderata.
2. With respect to Günther’s remarks regarding the basic policy of neutrality of Sweden you may say that Sweden has already during the course of this war permitted most serious derogations of its neutrality in favor of the enemy and that these derogations are still on the books. We have in mind particularly the passage of an armed division of German troops over Swedish territory. We feel that the concessions with respect to Swedish exports which we are now asking are not comparable in so far as Swedish neutrality is concerned to such deviations in favor of our enemies.
Sent to Stockholm for action. Repeated to London for information as Department’s no. 2988.