740.00112 European War 1939/7–1344: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Sweden (Johnson)
1391. At a meeting held July 12 attended by representatives of State, War, Navy and FEA, it was agreed that the developments on [Page 578] both the East Front and the West Front pointed to the advisability of taking early and drastic steps to bring about elimination of Swedish trade with the enemy. Meeting agreed that cooperation of the British would be highly desirable and that not over 2 weeks’ time might be allocated to an attempt to work out a common line of action directed towards the goal above stated. This will be taken up on the highest levels in Washington and London.
In the meantime we believe that pending outcome of efforts being made in London to induce the British to join with us in a more formal démarche as well as receipt of your views and of the London and Moscow Embassies views on Department’s 1356 to you,93 it might be well for you to initiate with the appropriate Foreign Office official informal conversations as suggested in your 2568, July 11 looking to a voluntary assurance from the Swedes that they will not permit any export of any commodity to Germany and its satellites. It is suggested however that during this talk you might include the considerations set forth in paragraph numbered 1 of Department’s 666, April 14 (2980 to London), and thereby emphasize the desirability of stopping exports in the very near future.
In presenting the note, text of which was set forth in Department’s 1362 to you,94 you may in your discretion talk with the Foreign Minister along the lines which you suggested in your 2566, July 11, but you should be careful in your conversation not to make any statement regarding 1945 trade which might tie our hands with respect to an early demand for elimination of Swedish exports during the balance of 1944.
Sent to Stockholm, repeated to London as Department’s no. 5481 and to Moscow as Department’s no. 1681.