File No. 763.72111/1347
No. 64]
Stockholm,
December 17, 1914.
[Received January 5, 1915.]
[Enclosure—Translation]
Extract from the “Svenska Dagbladet” concerning an
interview with the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs
In a telegram from Rome G. H. T. has received information in regard
to an article published in the large Italian journal, the Tribuna, which is openly in favor of the
Entente. In this article the paper’s correspondent gives a
description of a visit in Stockholm and especially of an interview
with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr.
Wallenberg.
I asked (says the correspondent) what belief should be given to the
open talk in Berlin that Sweden should regard Russia’s victory as a
danger to its integrity and its independence and that it might, for
that reason, be forced to partake in the war.
—No belief at all. If you have talked with any one in Stockholm you
must know that such is the case. More than sympathy for Germany is
perhaps the fear of Russia. I should add that this fear before the
war broke out was to some extent allowable on account of the spies
that Russia had in Sweden, but now this fear has also disappeared.
To draw the two countries closer to each other has helped not only
the Russian Government and the Russian press’s loyal stand towards
Sweden, but also facts that are the consequence of the war, before
all the stream of Russian fugitives who came from Germany and
Austria poorly dressed, poorly nourished, who found food and a
hearty welcome in Sweden. Between Sweden and Russia misunderstanding
no longer exists. The Parliament, the political parties and the
public opinion are all without exception for neutrality and you will
find in Sweden no responsible person declare the contrary.
I further asked (says the correspondent) what meaning the Minister
gave to the word neutrality in that I reminded him that, for
example, in certain countries of the Balkan Peninsula they talk of
neutrality as a transitory state.
No, absolutely no (answered Mr. Wallenberg in a
serious tone), we shall uphold peace to the end. We well know that
it lies in our interest that nothing else than an attack against our
independence can force us to leave this standpoint.
Thus far for the correspondent.
Stockholms-Tidningen has inquired of Mr.
Wallenberg in regard to the truth of this
interview. He acknowledged its statements in the main, but in a
couple of instances the words had not fallen exactly as stated in
the telegram.
