740.00112 European War 1939/9–2244: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 224:57 p.m.]
3824. I have just been informed by Mr. Boheman that the decision on the matter reported in my 3746, September 19, 9 p.m.77 has been taken by the Government. The German Minister78 will be informed tomorrow that all Swedish Baltic ports are closed to all shipping except Swedish. This decision will probably be published Sunday or Monday79 and Mr. Boheman especially requested that we treat it with the utmost secrecy until it has been published here. Implementation of the decree presents certain practical difficulties and Boheman expects that it will be during the night of September 25, 26 that the measure will become fully effective. Boheman estimates that in practical effect all but 1 or 2 percent of the German trade with Sweden is [Page 639] thus eliminated. Certain other observations made by Mr. Boheman will be reported in a separate telegram.