Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, General: Political and Economic Matters, Volume II

S/AE Files

Draft Memorandum of Instruction From the United States and United Kingdom Governments to the Minister in Sweden (Johnson)⁴³

[London,] 20 July, 1945.

Subject: Recommended Approach to Swedish Government

1. At the outset of the discussion with the Swedish representatives, the necessity for complete Top Secret security should be impressed upon them together with the fact that only the minimum number of people essential to the negotiations should be acquainted with the subject.

2. It is suggested that the initial approach be conducted along the following lines:

a. The U.K. and U.S. Governments have been conducting complex experiments and putting forth extensive efforts to determine the uses of uranium for military purposes. The experiments have indicated that it has definite military value but it is clear that full advantage of its potential uses can be realized only by nations with vast industrial capacity.

b. It is considered of the utmost importance to obtain control of the sources of uranium in view of their possible future significance to world peace.

c. The existence of uranium in Sweden in deposits of kőlm, a hardened asphalt-like substance used for fuel, and in oil shale, is known to geologists. The uranium usually comprises less than one per cent of the material in which it is contained. It is believed that considerable and significant quantities of uranium can be recovered in fields which can be developed easily.

d. In view of the strategic importance of these deposits the Governments of U.K. and U.S. desire to ask the Government of Sweden to agree:

(1) To effective control of its uranium bearing materials for a long period of years.

(2) To prevent export of uranium bearing materials except with consent of the two Governments.

(3) To give the two Governments the privilege of first refusal on the uranium content of the Swedish supply of uranium bearing materials.

e. In consideration of such an undertaking by the Government of Sweden the Governments of the U.K. and U.S. would be willing to agree to purchase a reasonable quantity of uranium bearing materials having in mind the rate at which the deposits can be worked economically.

3. If the proposals under 2. d and 2. e above should materialize, the appropriate contractual arrangements between an agency of the two Governments and some agency of the Swedish Government might provide not only for sale of material but also for collaboration in exploration and development.

4. The best information presently available indicates that there is no production currently, though the small Närke field is being worked by the Swedish Admiralty for oil as a war time measure. It is understood that the larger, Västergötland, field is not being worked except as a small source of fuel for the production of agricultural lime. It is believed that the Swedish Government has control of the mineral rights at both fields but the situation in this respect should be investigated carefully. It may be that the existence of oil in both fields, though in uneconomical amounts, and the present interest of the Swedish Admiralty in the Närke field, might be used to facilitate special control measures.

5. It should not be necessary, at any rate at this stage, to disclose the fact that a recent investigation was specially made by a British official geologist with the cooperation of a Swedish mineral exploration company. Ostensibly the British geologist was in Sweden to discuss recent progress in geo-physics in Sweden and to discuss geological matters generally with competent authorities there. In the course of his visit he collected samples and made a few field excursions as a result of the special interest he has had for some time in the world’s uranium deposits. As a result of this special enquiry, the amount of uranium oxide in the Swedish deposits has been estimated to be at least 80,000 tons; but it would probably be advisable not to be at all precise even in answer to questions.

6. As soon as the matter is opened by Mr. Johnson in this way he will then report what are the prospects of success in the negotiations so that suitable arrangements may be made for them to be carried on jointly in London or in Stockholm as may seem most satisfactory.

43. Concerning the authorship of this memorandum, see items No. 9 and No. 11 of memorandum by Major Traynor, August 3, infra.