858.248/9–1844: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Sweden (Johnson)
1939. 1. The Department fully approves of your action in obtaining release of 33 interned airmen (your 3708, September 18, 2 p.m.71), and in instructing a member of your staff to suggest to Grafström the immediate release of all interned airmen in anticipation of the arrival and release of a comparable number of German soldiers. (Your 3895, September 26, 10 p.m.)
2. The Department authorizes you to use your discretion in referring to Washington cases involving German officers of importance.
3. We have instructed Mr. Winant72 to inform the British Foreign Office of the vital importance we attach to the release as soon as possible of all American airmen interned in Sweden and, hence, of our inability to concur in the procedure suggested by Pollock of referring all cases to London and Washington. Mr. Winant will also request the Foreign Office to inform your British colleague73 of our view in this matter.
4. The question of releasing 3 German planes against 35 to 40 airmen has been referred to the War Department for decision. You will be informed as soon as a reply has been received.
[Page 694]5. The possibility of Soviet objection to the release of 53 airmen against the Germans who arrived from Tallinn appears to be a question which the Swedish Foreign Office itself should decide (your 3894, September 26, 10 p.m.74); however, we have requested Mr. Harri-man’s views75 as to the advisability of our approaching the Soviet authorities regarding the matter.
6. Please report urgently progress of your conversations regarding an exchange of our airmen against the sale of P–47 aircraft. Despite the possibility that these men may eventually be released against German soldiers crossing the Swedish border, the need for them is so great that every method for obtaining release as quickly as possible must be fully explored. (Your 3700, September 16, 5 p.m.)