740.00112 European War 1939/6–2844: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
Bern, June 28,
1944—9 a.m.
[Received 9:52 a.m.]
[Received 9:52 a.m.]
4104. The following telegram has been sent to London.
1109, June 28, 9 a.m. Embassy’s 181 (transmitting Department’s 5005, June 24) June 25 and 183, June 26.
- 1.
- Upon receipt Embassy’s 181 CA and CS urgently requested Hotz for interview which took place late evening June 27. They laid stress upon the importance which you attach to receiving the formal Swiss reply to our letters of May 25 before end of this month. They also gave Hotz written replies to the two questions64 asked by Swiss on [Page 740] June 15. Paraphrased text of these replies given in our 1110 (4105 to Department).65
- 2.
- Hotz began by expressing great surprise at your insistence on a prompt formal reply to us regarding Annex I. He found this “incomprehensible” in view fact that he was again in direct communication with Keller from whom he had already received certain impressions among these your reactions on machine tools and ball bearings. Hotz feared lest simultaneous communication to you through Keller direct and through us should create confusion.
- 3.
- Bearing in mind last sentence second paragraph of numbered paragraph 2 Embassy’s 176 CA and CS expressed their surprise at Hotz’ apparent reluctance to implement his promise of June 23 to let us have the Swiss formal reply in course of this week, (paragraph 5 Legation’s 1088—4050 to Department June 2466).
- 4.
- Hotz endeavored to justify his evasive attitude on grounds that Keller had by now confirmed to you the Swiss intentions regarding Annex I as already communicated orally to us. Giving a formal reply in Bern seemed to him therefore unnecessary. When CA and CS continued pressing for this reply Hotz disclosed that he had in fact a draft reply in hand and eventually assured them that the formal reply would be delivered to them on evening of June 29.
Repeated to Department as Legation’s 4104.
Harrison