740.00112 European War 1939/10619: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Stockholm, April 23,
1944—6 p.m.
[Received 6:40 p.m.]
[Received 6:40 p.m.]
1421. In view of urgency our obtaining satisfactory arrangement on exports ballbearings and in view of fact that despite definite refusal in Swedish aide-mémoire (Legation’s 1419 April 23, 5 p.m.) oral statements by Boheman and others indicate door still open for negotiations (Legation’s 1418 April 22, 10 p.m. and 1420, April 23, 6 p.m.32) I recommend following for consideration:
- 1.
- In conjunction with my British colleagues be authorized to enter into negotiations with Swedish authorities and/or SKF for purpose of obtaining desired objective. Under present prohibitions against diplomatic travel, pouch mail and code messages Swedes cannot be expected to carry on discussions in London. Moreover by holding discussions here we make certain availability for at least informal discussions of those individuals who have expressed desire to assist us and with whom we have established close relations. Method of obtaining embargo piston-rings example of usefulness of this method. (Legation’s 831, March 10, 5 p.m., 1059, March 29, 2 p.m. and 1260, April 13, 4 p.m.33) To hold negotiations elsewhere would under present circumstances delay obtaining beneficial results which delay can be to our detriment only.
- 2.
- I be authorized to enter into negotiations with Swedish Government in preference to SKF unless this proves impossible in which case I be authorized to negotiate directly with SKF.
- 3.
- If Department deems it advisable to issue public statement concerning our dissatisfaction (my 1420, April 23, 6 p.m.) such statement be issued immediately. If this is done I will use such statement as grounds for requesting negotiations on basis constructive inducements.
- 4.
- Subject to approval Department my initial objective would be elimination of exports at least until last few months this year. This will permit satisfaction our demands within frameworks of contracts and Swedish Government agreement with Germans. If this proves impossible I propose we attempt to obtain 3 months’ embargo. However we may be forced to agree to token or very small shipments at [Page 524] least until last months 1944 of specified bearings with least strategic uses which would constitute minimum compromise acceptable to United States. It is assumed that our offers to Swedes as stated in our aide-mémoire as compensation for cancellation of exports are still available although to be given in proportion to Swedish concessions.
- 5.
- Naturally our desire to complete negotiations in a very short time with understanding that any agreement is subject to our Government’s approval would be made known to Swedes. Similarly depending on course of negotiations it is understood that any reduction in our demands from initial request would only be made with Department’s approval.
My 323 April 23, 6 p.m. to London repeats this message.
Johnson