740.00112 European War 1939/7–2144: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:32 p.m.]
2718. My 2701 of July 20, 7 p.m., 723 to London. This afternoon Mr. Sohlman requested British Minister and me to see him. He told [Page 586] us that he had been authorized by the Swedish Government to give us the following reply to the request we had made of him yesterday.
- 1.
- In regard to trade for 1945, Mr. Sohlman stated that he could confirm what Hägglöf had told Foot in London, that the Swedish Government has not entered into any commitments for 1945 with enemy countries. The question regarding any such commitments has for the present no actuality and is not expected to arise until late this autumn. Before any consideration is given by the Swedish Government to such a question, the American and British members of the JSC in London will be informed in time to allow them to present their views.
- 2.
- In regard to trade for 1944, Mr. Sohlman said he would like to explain that the Swedish Government has for 1944 made a number of agreements regarding trade between German and Axis Europe. Of this the American and British Governments are aware. Full information in regard to these agreements has been given in the JSC. Swedish commitments in these trade agreements of course falls entirely within the framework of the Anglo-American-Swedish War Trade Agreement which however also gives latitude for further agreements. The question regarding any such further agreements is expected to arise only with respect to Swedish trade with Norway and Denmark during second half of this year. The Swedish Government does not however intend to enter into any such further agreements with these two countries. After the fulfilment of the commitments arising out of agreements governing trade for the first 6 months of this year with these two countries, trade with each will be carried on a barter basis without any further agreements.
In relation to Germany, the Swedish Government will only apply existing agreements. They will decline any proposals for additional agreements. In other words, Sweden will stick strictly to the quotas with Germany which have already been established and will not entertain any proposals for increase of those quotas within the ceiling limits.
Both British Minister and I thanked Mr. Sohlman for the promptness of this reply and said that we were confident it would be appreciated by our Governments. It seems to both Mallet and me to be a most satisfactory response to our request.
My 728, July 21, 7 p.m. repeats this to London.