840.20/12–348: Telegram
The Ambassador in Sweden (Matthews) to the Secretary of State
1331. Deptel 812, November 22 and mytel 1307, November 26, 2 p. m. In conversation with Cumming1 last night Bech-Friis evinced considerable anxiety over the breadth and meaning of the word “aid” from which Sweden would be disqualified until the requirements of [Page 300] members of the North Atlantic Pact were met. He said that if a Scandinavian defense pact materialized (presumably on Swedish terms) Swedish industrial resources would be strained to provide weapons for Norway and Denmark in addition to meeting Swedish defense needs, and even if such a union did not materialize Swedish armaments industry would be overworked to meet Swedish defense needs. It is important for Sweden, he said, that the flow of raw materials and components normally obtained from the US should not be shut off. Gumming said in his personal view he did not think normal trade affecting raw materials which might be essential to Swedish armaments industry would necessarily be affected but that our own defense requirements and those of any partners in an Atlantic union might so heavily increase demands that materials in short supply would not be available to other countries such as Sweden. (Bech-Friis later said he could find no specific statement in the Vandenberg resolution to the effect that a neutral country or group of countries would be deprived of American aid. He was told that this seemed very clear from the whole history of the resolution and that in any event it had now been given him as the official interpretation of the American Government.)2
Foregoing illustrates the growing anxiety of Swedish Government and military circles over the whole question of the Atlantic Pact and its effect in isolating Sweden. I had Department’s views as set forth Deptel 812 and my 1307 conveyed orally to General Jung, Chief of Swedish Defense Forces, and General Nordenskiold, Chief of Swedish Air Force. Their reactions are being reported separately by Air Attaché. It is interesting that both had apparently been very promptly informed of my talk with Bech-Friis as had Swedish Ambassador to Norway (Oslo’s 731 to Department November 30).3