740.00112 European War 1939/9–444: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Sweden (Johnson)
1824. Your 3476 and 3477 of September 4.76 Should any Swedish officials inquire as to our reaction to Günther’s message in reply to the Anglo-American démarche you should inform them that we consider it to be entirely unsatisfactory in every respect and that this Government is greatly disappointed at the failure of the Swedish Government to realize at this late stage the extremely adverse effect its attitude may have on Sweden’s future position. You may add that we have no intention whatever of letting the matter drop.
For your own information, we fail to appreciate the validity of the arguments used by the Foreign Minister in defense of Sweden’s so-called “neutrality policy”. In our opinion Sweden’s policy has been based upon a determination to keep out of the war at all costs rather than one of strict neutrality. Hence, she has granted concessions to one belligerent group and then the other in accordance with the fluctuations of the war. Now that the people of Sweden, as well as those of the United Nations, realize the defeat of Germany is a foregone conclusion, we cannot comprehend why the Swedish Government still hesitates to sever all trade with Germany.
- Latter not printed.↩