740.00112 European War 1939/10557: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 16—8:45 p.m.]
3117. From Riefler for the Secretary, Acheson,3 and Stone, FEA. Reference Embassy’s 2713, April 3; Department’s 2665, April 5. Mallet has reported on personal basis to Foot that Wallenberg has intimated SKF Company might be persuaded to cancel outstanding ball bearing contracts with Germany in return for orders from United States of 100 million kronor. I have requested Foot to have Mallet find out whether SKF Company are in fact prepared to stop immediately all deliveries of bearings to enemy Europe for the duration of the war in return for orders from United States in this amount. Please instruct urgently whether Washington will entertain a proposition to this effect, if so make appropriate authorization and funds available to Johnson.
This message repeated to Stockholm as Embassy’s 134, April 16, 11 p.m. [Riefler.]
- Dean Acheson, Assistant Secretary of State.↩