Office of the Historian

The British Prime Minister (Churchill) to President Roosevelt 5

London, July 27, 1944—11:49 a.m.
[Received July 27—9:15 a.m.]

738. Your message of July 14.6 I entirely agree on the desirability of cutting off Swedish exports to the enemy. We must, however, avoid jeopardizing:

(a)
The substantial economic warfare advantages we have already obtained in Sweden:
(b)
Our military requirements, especially in relation to deception plans:
(c)
Our sources of intelligence in Sweden:
(d)
Our bases in Sweden for underground work in Denmark and Central Europe.

The Foreign Office is communicating with Winant regarding the form and timing of our approach to the Swedish Government.7

As soon as this is agreed, it will be necessary to approach the Russian Government and seek their support.

  1. Copy of telegram obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N.Y.↩
  2. See telegram 5490, July 13, 4 p.m., to London, p. 578.↩
  3. See infra.↩