858.248/9–2644: Telegram

The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

3895. Our 3700, September 16, 5 p.m. Legation officer has informally suggested to Grafström67 with reference to Mr. Boheman’s [Page 692] assurances regarding immediate release from internment of one United States airman for each German soldier who may enter Sweden from Finland the Swedish Government anticipate arrival and release of a comparable number of German soldiers and release now all Allied interned airmen. Grafström seemed to regard suggestion as useful one and said he would immediately present it to his Government.

This afternoon the idea was broached to officers of British Legation who raised question whether since German soldiers would be fleeing in face of Russians (sic) the Swedish Foreign Office might raise the question as to Russian agreement in the same manner as the question has been raised with reference to release of 53 German soldiers who entered Sweden from Tallinn September 22. Our 3894, September 26, 10 p.m.68

British appear to be adopting strange attitude with respect to our efforts to obtain release of interned airmen. For example, Pollock, Counselor of British Legation advised this afternoon that British Foreign Office had disapproved action of this Legation in jumping at opportunity to obtain release of 33 interned airmen against 33 German soldiers who were brought here against their will aboard Finnish vessels which broke away from German convoy (our 3708, September 18, 2 p.m.69). This Legation acted on its own responsibility in this case because obviously the German soldiers were not internable and Swedes would have released them whether or not we accepted the exchange. British Legation advises that British Foreign Office desires to be consulted in all cases involving exchanges allegedly on grounds that Foreign Office might disagree with the Legations as to merits of proposed exchange. Legation urges that reference of all cases to London and Washington would contribute to delay in getting internees out at a time when it is understood to be highly important to get them out of Sweden and back into active fighting as quickly as possible. It is suggested that Legation be authorized to use its discretion and only to refer to Washington for instructions when it appears that among the German soldiers concerned there may be a German officer of importance.

Legation also requests authority to use its discretion with reference to agreeing to release of interned airmen against release of German airplanes not regarded by United States Military Air Attaché70 as being of much military significance. We have precedent for agreeing to release of German training planes against release of 10 interned airmen and have been following this precedent. There recently landed three additional German planes one of which is an old German seaplane used for communication purposes and of only slightly [Page 693] more military significance than a training plane. Legation hopes Department will approve its agreeing to release of these 3 planes against release of 35 or 40 airmen.

Our stake in this matter of exchange of airmen is immeasurably greater than the British who have only 58 internees as against our 902.

Release of our airmen is a matter of vital importance and should not be in any way hampered by British counter desire whatever may be motive and object of latter. I am genuinely apprehensive that British Legation may make difficulties for us and seriously jeopardize our efforts by interfering and consider it urgent that British Foreign Office be advised of importance which we attach to prompt release of our airmen with a view to appropriate directions being sent to their Legation here. It is most earnestly requested that contents of this paragraph be reserved for Department only and that my comments on British Legation be not communicated to London.

Telegraphic instructions will be greatly appreciated.

Johnson
  1. Sven Grafstrom, Acting Director of the Department of Political Affairs, Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
  2. Not printed.
  3. Not printed, but see telegram 3725, September 19, 1 p.m., supra.
  4. Col. Charles E. Rayens, Military Attaché, and Military Attaché for Air.