740.00112 European War 1939/1003b: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Sweden (Johnson)
1146. The Department feels that this would be a good opportunity to discuss the ball-bearing situation with Boheman or in his absence with another high official of the Swedish Foreign Office. Unless you feel strongly to the contrary, you are therefore authorized to talk to him along the following lines:
“In the month of April the British and American Ministers made certain demands on the Swedish Government with regard to the export of ball bearings to Germany which demands were categorically rejected. Subsequently, with your knowledge, Mr. Stanton Griffis, acting on behalf of an agency of the American Government, started conversations directly with SKF with a view to securing a cessation of the shipment of ball bearings to Germany and German occupied territory. Mr. Griffis recently received from the ball bearing company a proposal71 which appeared at first sight to go part way to meet our needs but which really opened once more to the Germans an opportunity to switch their orders for ball bearings from types they no longer urgently need because of the effects of our bombing of aircraft assembly plants to types now in pressing demand. The fact that the SKF company under prevailing conditions would involve itself in what can be construed as a ‘trick’ offer has been the occasion of indignation in high Government circles here and has led to serious consideration of the recall of Mr. Griffis. In the hope, however, of avoiding a complete breakdown in the negotiations, Mr. Griffis has been given authority to use the proposal of the ball-bearing company as the basis for stating the maximum concessions we are prepared to make. His proposition is now being considered by the company which has been forcefully informed by Mr. Griffis of the importance which my Government attaches to a prompt acceptance of what it regards as an extraordinarily generous proposition in the light of the accelerated military actions now entered upon by our armed forces.”
Extreme care should be taken that no impression is left with the Foreign Office that we are seeking the Swedish Government’s approval or intervention in connection with any agreement which may be reached privately with SKF as a result of Griffis’ and Waring’s [Page 564] negotiations with the company. We wish to keep our hands completely free for any later approach to the Swedish Government irrespective of the outcome of present negotiations with SKF. Therefore we do not wish the Swedish Government to be even by implication a party to any agreement we may reach with SKF.
Please inform your British colleague of the nature of your representations pursuant to the above instructions. Foot has seen this telegram and agreed it.
Sent to Stockholm, repeated to London as the Department’s 4523.