740.00112 European War 1939/8–1544: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
6466. You will have noted from Department’s telegram to Moscow of today’s date,32 repeated to London for information, that if the [Page 610] Soviet Government is not yet prepared to reach a decision with respect to supporting the proposed Anglo-American démarche in Stockholm this Government desires to proceed with the delivery of the joint message leaving it to the Russians to give their support later. As we anticipate therefore that the joint message will be delivered to the Swedes within the next 2 or 3 days we believe that Johnson and Mallet should be working out the general line to be taken in the oral remarks which they are to make simultaneously with the delivery of the message.
Your 6311, August 6 indicates that the British Government has agreed to the proposals set forth in that portion of our 6018, July 31 (1520 to Stockholm and 1822 to Moscow) designated “Section V (b)”. In view, however, of the events which have taken place since the dispatch of that telegram we believe that the subject matter of the remarks to be made by Johnson and Mallet should be expanded to include not only Johnson’s earlier conversation with Günther but also the substance of the informal memorandum which he left with Boheman on July 24 (see Stockholm’s 2931, August 3, repeated to London as 817) as well as paragraph 4 of Department’s 6265, August 8,33 which was repeated to Stockholm as 1578 and to Moscow as 1887.
It is our intention that Johnson’s remarks while made orally will be made under instructions from his Government and not informally and on his own responsibility. We hope that Mallet will be given similar instructions.
We hope that the joint message can be delivered not later than August 18 and Johnson is so instructed provided of course that appropriate instructions are sent Mallet.
We must emphasize that although we hope that the British Government will fully associate itself with our proposals we are prepared to go alone if full British concurrence cannot be obtained. Today’s landings in the south of France point to the rapidity with which the time is slipping by during which Sweden can make a tangible contribution towards the shortening of the war and the saving of Allied lives.
Sent to London and repeated to Stockholm as Department’s no. 1625 for appropriate action. Repeated to Moscow for information as no. 1944.