740.00112 European War 1939/10621: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:48 p.m.]
1419. Legation’s 1417, April 22. Full text of Swedish aide-mémoire dated April 22 is being forwarded by airmail pouch leaving Stockholm April 25.30
After referring to careful study including consultation with both chambers of Riksdag, and Foreign Relations Committee given our representations made April 13 (Legation’s 1265, April 13) Swedish aide-mémoire says United States Government is aware that request for compliance with demand supplies [implies] that Swedish Government should refuse to fulfill engagements entered into within ceilings on exports provided for by 1943 agreement. Reference is then made to fact that terms of Swedish-German 1944 agreement were made known to Allies at Stockholm JSC31 meeting January 14 at which time no objection was made.
Concerning statement that war has reached decisive stage and military situation has changed since negotiations summer 1943 aide-mémoire expresses difficulty of Swedish Government to comprehend that changes in war situation since such negotiations and since relevant terms of Swedish-German trade agreement made known to us January 1944 were not taken into account by Allies at those times. It is then said that above changes have not altered conditions pursuant to which Sweden has since summer 1943 entered into engagements with various countries. It is emphasized in this connection that safe conduct traffic still requires consent both belligerents for its continuance.
After pointing out that United States has not attempted to deny Swedish Government’s strict compliance with War Trade Agreement and rights and obligations of a neutral to permit exports in order to obtain vitally needed goods which Allies unable to supply under present conditions, aide-mémoire expresses astonishment and concern over threat clause our note and refusal of Swedish Government to believe that USA would contemplate action against Sweden to prevent exports which take place within framework its agreement with United States.
Aide-mémoire records regret that Swedish Government is unable to accede to our demands but notes fundamental idea expressed by USA Government to effect that Sweden as neutral country should refrain from assisting enemies of USA in this war. It concludes [Page 523] that Swedish Government cannot consider that this principle is infringed by Swedish trade with belligerents to extent necessary to safeguard Sweden’s vital interests and in fulfillment of “legally and politically irreproachable engagements”.
See my 1418, April 22.
My 321 repeats this to London.