858.79661/11–2144: Telegram

The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

4821. For Department only. The reason in my opinion why it is of importance not to insist on second condition mentioned in my 4774, November 21, 10 p.m., as well as first condition (re Department’s 2355, November 22, 9 p.m.) is that it requires an act by Swedish Government as a prior condition for our making these planes available to the Norwegians. If Swedes should decide that as matter of policy they are unable to grant this permission on any conditions such as ones War Department proposes, it would be the Norwegians not the Swedes who would suffer. It is not the Swedes who have asked this service of us but the Norwegians nor did initiative come from Swedes; the idea was one of Foreign Minister Trygve Lie. Aside from practical considerations I do not think it helps the United States position to use the need of one of our Allies as leverage in forcing something out of Swedish Government. They do not understand why Norwegian request cannot be decided on its own merits and in light of our own military necessities and possibilities. Mr. Günther has, moreover, consistently maintained throughout my various discussions with him and Boheman on the release of these aviators that their release would not be considered by his Government on any basis of bargain. Releases so far secured by me have been entirely on basis of Swedish good will to Allied cause. The good will which produced release of our airmen still exists, but the Swedes who are proud and sensitive under a stiff front of reserve feel that there has been no real appreciation or understanding on our part for what they have done. They are fully aware that Sweden has been under no obligation to effect these releases. Even Boheman who has with great loyalty and often with personal courage fought our battles with his slow moving and obstinate Government remarked to me with a suggestion of sarcasm that “it would be interesting to know how many of your interned military personnel have been released by Switzerland and other neutral countries”. Moreover, the treatment in every respect which the Swedes have accorded our aviators has been humane [Page 704] and understanding to a high degree and beyond any bounds of what are their obligations under international law and custom. The aviators themselves are fully appreciative of this fact, as testified to me by General Curtis on his recent visit here.

I have been reliably informed that Government Ministers in Cabinet meeting have voiced bitter resentment at what they call the “American way of treating Swedes as if they were slaves”. I am not in a position as yet to report that Swedish Government will now immediately release all our remaining aviators. I am convinced, however, that their release will not be advanced one day through injecting any form of condition or implied threat on our part.

I should also add as a practical matter that although the instructions in this regard are sent by War Department to Colonel Hardison, action On them has to be taken by me. Hardison has no place whatever in situation beyond field of operations.

Johnson