740.00112 European War 1939/5–1244: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 12—3:37 p.m.]
1683. Following from Griffis. Waring, Poteat and I this morning in response to Boheman’s request entered into negotiations with Hamberg and other officials of SKF looking towards a compromise solution of the ball bearing problem. We have made slight progress but did get an agreement from SKF that during period of these negotiations no exports of ball bearings, roller bearings, or ball-bearing machinery will be made to any belligerent country, effective at once. Cannot emphasize too strongly the absolute necessity of keeping the existence of this agreement completely secret. It should have most guarded circulation. Should this reach press it would be altogether disastrous to negotiations. The basis of our discussions of it has been a disavowal of substantial orders under Swedish law of 1937 relating to export of war materials (exact citation will follow in another telegram) but with SKF power of substitution of types, shipment of such substituted bearings not to be made until last months of year.
Please inform FEA.
My 404, May 12, 3 p.m., repeats this message to London. [Griffis.]