868.48/10–2744: Telegram

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

4382. During recent conversation Boheman explained he had at first not fully realized the extent to which original undertaking to Germans (which British and United States authorities had endorsed) was binding on Swedes to bring back to Sweden ships in Greek relief fleet in case conditions for their safe conduct would no longer obtain. (See my 1087, March 30, 9 p.m. and 4259 October 19, 7 p.m.)

He said it was very important that he stressed necessity of avoiding anything that might compromise Commission’s neutral status. He added that Commission should continue to be regarded as functioning even after our military authorities and eventually UNRRA would have taken over. Boheman realized UNRRA would probably in long run absorb Commission. He wondered if this could not be arranged in such a manner that Commission would still exist nominally even though it might consist of only a couple of members to whom supplies brought by Red Cross vessels could be consigned.

Telegram in which British Minister reported his conversation with Boheman regarding same matter was repeated to Washington British Embassy as Mallet’s 5.

Johnson