740.00112 European War 1939/1–1245: Telegram

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

136. Legation’s 130, January 12, 10 a.m., 42 to London.53 Discussions with officials of the Swedish Foreign Office in the light of the Department’s 41, January 6, midnight, 154 to London, and London’s [Page 745] 29, January 9, noon, 276 to the Department, have produced agreement on the part of the Swedish Government (a) to refer to Stockholm JSC lists of exports outstanding under the 1944 barter deals with Norway and Denmark and (b) not to export goods except those specifically approved by the American and British Governments through the Stockholm JSC.

JSC will approve as faits accomplis the exports contemplated by the licenses issued prior to December 31 for which renewals were granted in the period of misunderstanding from January 1 to date (Legation’s 132, January 12, 11 a.m., 44 to London54). The Swedish Government stresses that it is necessary to keep this trade going since (1) if this is not done it would lead to the closing down of factories in both Norway and Denmark in which event the Germans would deport the workmen to Germany and the Swedes could be blamed which might have political consequences and (2) if the trade is stopped it would be difficult to resume it since the Germans would do all they could to prevent its resumption and to place the blame on Sweden in the eyes of the Norwegians and the Danes.

Swedish Foreign Office advises that no 1945 barter transaction has yet been entered into with either Norway or Denmark and that we shall be advised of proposals in due course in order that any commitments will have our approval before they are made.

My 46, January 12, 1 p.m., repeats this to London.

Johnson
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