740.00112 European War 1939/11033d: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
1838. Department and FEA attach great importance to favorable outcome of present negotiations in London and we hope that Swiss will see their way clear to instruct Keller to offer greater reductions in Annex I exports than those proposed in March and it is requested that unless you consider it inadvisable you call at Swiss Foreign Office with your British colleague when he receives parallel instruction for purpose of informing Swiss of this. Even implied threat should not accompany these representations and that they are motivated solely by our desire to have Swiss fully understand our deep interest in reducing Swiss aid to enemy war effort should be indicated. You are authorized to approach Swiss Government in this sense without waiting for your British colleague to receive parallel instructions, if, after consultation with him, you think this approach should be made at once. Sent Bern, repeated London.41
- Repeated to London as 4234, with following addition: “Urge that MEW send parallel instructions to Bern after discussing foregoing proposal with MEW.”↩