740.0011 European War 1939/2150: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Sterling) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 12—10 p.m.]
233. The Prime Minister this evening made an unexpected announcement over the Swedish broadcasting system.
After the obvious remarks about the hour [of?] trial, sympathy for brother Scandinavian peoples, and the shock caused by the approach of war to the Swedish frontier he said, “We must conserve our peace, liberty, and honor. Sweden has done everything which could have been asked of her to maintain the neutrality proclaimed from the beginning. Sweden is firmly resolved to continue to follow the line of strict neutrality. It would not be compatible with strict neutrality to permit a belligerent state to use Swedish territory for its purposes. No demands fortunately have been addressed to us in this sense. If one should be made it would be refused.” He then referred to the necessary disruption in normal life required to reinforce the defensive organization, the uncertainty and insecurity and trial of nerves and closed with the expression of the conviction that the necessary sacrifices would be made by the people to defend liberty and independence.