701.0090/71: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 19—1:01 p.m.]
1222. Swedish Legation in Berlin has reported by telephone to Foreign Ministry that this morning German officials stated they would agree to departure of Gripsholm on May 23 with passengers whose names they will then have approved. They added, however, that they do not think that they will have had time to approve all of the names which they have received especially those from Denmark and Norway. Please instruct whether the Legation should authorize the departure of the Gripsholm on May 23 irrespective of whether all names submitted by it to the Germans have been approved.
This Legation has submitted names of Americans in Sweden and Finland only. It is probable, however, that Nordis Bureau submitted through Swedish Traffic Commission names of persons in Denmark desirous of leaving on Gripsholm. Names of Americans in Norway could only have been obtained by the Berlin authorities from German officials in Norway.
Should ship depart before approval is given to all of names submitted to Germans considerable hardship will be caused to Americans from Finland who are leaving that country today and will be stranded in Sweden if they cannot depart on Gripsholm without sufficient funds to proceed to the United States via Lisbon.