740.00112 European War 1939/11–1044: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman)
9501. With reference to Department’s 2260, November 10, to Stockholm, repeated to London as Department’s 9462, please inform the appropriate British officials that because of the military importance attached by this Government to the immediate stoppage of all Swedish exports to Germany we feel that we cannot delay further in pressing the Swedes as forcefully as possible to accomplish such stoppage. We thoroughly appreciate that there has been some difference of opinion between London and Washington as to the best methods of bringing about a termination of Swedish exports to Germany and as to the effects of such action upon the over-all ends to be sought in Sweden including various military and intelligence activities, et cetera, which need not be detailed here. Nevertheless, we are most anxious to have the British Government associate itself with us in this request of the Swedish Government and sincerely hope that they can see their way clear to taking such action.
For your information, the decisions set forth in the reference telegram were made at the direction of the President. The time element and the urgency from the standpoint of this Government of immediate action made it impossible to consult fully with the British who in any case have been kept fully informed of our developing views even though they have not always found it possible for reasons of their own to see eye-to-eye with us.
Sent to London, repeated to Stockholm for information as Department’s No. 2272.