740.00112 European War 1939/7–1844: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 18,—9:29 p.m.]
2669. I saw Foreign Minister Günther this afternoon by appointment at my request and before receipt of Department’s 1431 of July 17, 11 p.m. (5613 to London). I explained to Mr. Günther that I had requested the interview in order to express certain personal observations regarding probable development of our war trade policy towards Sweden and suggested that if he would allow me I would be very frank in this informal statement. Briefly I pointed out to the Foreign Minister that it must be obvious to all observers that the war was rapidly approaching a final conclusion and that for that reason the courses of action which hitherto could not be considered by Sweden for reasons of national security might now be contemplated without apprehension. I recognized that his country had in the recent past given some particularly important practical demonstrations of its desire to cooperate with the Allies in reducing the economic assistance to their enemies and that I thought the time had now arrived when a spontaneous demonstration on the part of Sweden that she desired still further to cooperate with us in shortening the war would be received by my Government with great appreciation and understanding. I suggested that he might consider whether the Swedish Government could not now give the Allied Governments assurances that as soon as land or sea communications with Sweden are possible for the Allies that Sweden would discontinue entirely its exports to our enemies. I said that I realized that such an action would inevitably create economic difficulties for [Page 583] Sweden and that I felt confident that my Government and its Allies would make every practicable effort to alleviate these difficulties. I made no mention of the forthcoming trade negotiations with Germany to begin on July 20 nor any mention of a war trade agreement with the Anglo-Saxon Allies for 1945 but kept strictly to the subject of cessation of exports of war materials and supplies to Germany otherwise following the general line of my 2566 July 11, 6 p.m. (677 to London).
Mr. Günther remarked that he was confident I realized that such action on Sweden’s part would mean a radical change in its policy towards Germany and because of existing treaty commitments would involve important political considerations. I told him that I did realize that but that I would venture to make the observation that the moment was a critical one not only for us but for all of Europe and that, while my Government had the greatest respect in principle for contractual obligations, I felt a contractual obligation was of small importance when the lives of thousands of men were on the other side of the scales. I likewise pointed out that this situation in which contractual obligations seemed of small importance was one which had been solely created by the Germans themselves who had initiated and extended this war. Mr. Günther received my remarks with courtesy and patience and when I left said that he would give the “important observation” I had made most careful study. It is my intention to have this opening approach to Mr. Günther implemented immediately by more detailed talks with officials of the Foreign Office who are concerned in the making of Swedish policy in these matters and likewise with Hägglöf who has returned from London to take part in the German negotiations.
The British Legation has not yet received instructions from London in line with Department’s 1431 of July 17, 11 p.m. and the British Minister informed me yesterday that he did not feel that he could take any action without instructions as various directives received up to date have been indecisive and confusing.
My 709, July 18, 10 p.m. repeats this to London.