868.48/11–1444: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Sweden (Johnson)
2307. On basis of reports from MacVeagh in Athens that Commission intended to cease functioning on December 15, London is instructing British Legation in Stockholm to concert with you to discover Swedish attitude toward this information and whether, as Sandstrom and Thyberg thought, the liquidation of the Commission was a problem separate from that of the continued functioning of Swedish ships in Greek relief traffic. Prior to despatch of Department’s telegram to you on similar lines, MacVeagh has informed us (Athens’ 33, November 13) of Swedish Government’s instruction to Commission that some of its members must remain in Greece in advisory capacity if Swedish ships are to continue. Department has no objection to your confirming this information informally, in concert with your British colleague, if London so desires. However, in view of precarious overall situation, which is receiving urgent consideration here (reurtel 4667, November 14 and British 383 Relief), we believe it [Page 207] advisable to make no further approaches to Swedes until London and Washington can jointly present a firm proposal.
Sent to Stockholm, repeated to Athens.22
- Repeated to Athens as telegram No. 26.↩