740.00112 European War 1939/7–1344: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
5491. This Government has arrived at a decision that military developments in Europe make it necessary to bring about elimination of all Swedish trade with the enemy using to this end all pressures at our disposal. We attach the highest importance to the attainment of this objective and would like to have the British Government associated with us in the demands which will be made upon Sweden. This is a matter of top importance and I hope that you will spare no effort to bring the Prime Minister and Eden to agreement to cooperate in carrying out this Government’s decision. This Government regards the matter as so pressing that we may feel compelled to proceed alone if British concurrence cannot be obtained within the very near future.
I have recommended to the President that he send a personal message to the Prime Minister asking for his personal support.96
Please review my 5481, July 1397 and the telegrams from Johnson referred to therein which were repeated to you as Stockholm’s 677 and 67898 and then press our views as strongly as possible with the Prime Minister and Eden. I anticipate that you will have some difficulty with the Foreign Office.
I cannot stress too strongly the importance this Government attaches to the attainment of our ends with respect to Swedish trade with the enemy.