758.00/6–348
Memorandum by the Secretary of State to President Truman
Subject: Swedish Neutrality Policy
Background
Sweden has followed stubbornly a policy of neutrality which since the end of the war has been of more benefit to the Soviet Union than to the Western countries. Sweden is now trying to win Norway and Denmark to this policy which is more likely to weaken the ability of all Scandinavian nations to resist aggressive Soviet expansion than to enable them to withstand it.
Recommendation
When you talk with Prince Bertil of Sweden and Sven Dahlman of the Swedish Foreign Office on June 4 in Chicago, it is suggested that you avoid any expression of approval of the neutrality policy followed by Sweden. If the opportunity arises, it is also suggested that you inform them of the concern felt by the American Government over the neutrality policy followed by Sweden. The issue in the world today is not a matter of choosing between two great power blocs, as seems to be widely believed in Sweden, but is rather the question of the survival of nations which believe in freedom and democratic processes. Such nations have a common interest, and a neutrality policy which reveals a division among the free nations of the world can only serve to invite aggression.
Our Ambassador in Sweden, Mr. Matthews, during recent months has explained the American position fully to officials of the Swedish Government.1
- On the morning of the day that Marshall directed this memorandum to the President, June 3, Matthews conferred with Swedish Foreign Minister Undén at the latter’s request. Each reviewed the reasoning behind his country’s policy regarding Swedish neutrality. Matthews closed his report, telegram 675, with the observation that he had no illusions that Undén would change his policy; yet he believed that at least there would be no uncertainty in the mind of the leading apostle of Scandinavian neutrality as to where the United States stood in the matter. (Telegram 675 from Stockholm, not printed: 758.00/6–348.)↩