740.00112 European War 1939/11–1044: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 10—1:23 p.m.]
9796. For Department, Crowley and Fleming, FEA from Stone. ReDepts 9170, November 2.14 MEW and Foreign Office are cabling British Embassy in Washington a new formula on the matter of buna supplies requested by Sweden for shipment on Saturnus. It is apparent that the British military and civil authorities are disturbed by reports they have received of terms contemplated by Washington. As a result, British plan to request opinion of Combined Chiefs of Staff on the relative military advantage of complete cessation of trade, which would sever vital communications with Denmark, as against trickle of trade through west coast ports, which is regarded as unimportant in German war economy.
In meeting with Foot today, I strongly urged him to include iron ore in point 1 of his 3 proposals; or at least to agree to inform Swedes now that iron ore shipments must cease on or before arrival of Saturnus. Foot was unable to accept either suggestion, but if Department insists I believe British will agree to join us immediately in demanding stoppage of iron ore on arrival of Saturnus if necessary to secure departure of this ship. I do not believe that British can be induced to go beyond this at present time, as they are firmly convinced that failure to secure buna for Saturnus would jeopardize gains already secured, and that total stoppage of all trade now would not be to our advantage.
Sent to Department as Embassy’s 9796 repeated to Stockholm as 696. [Stone.]
- Not printed.↩