740.59112A/6–2644: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 27—1:42 a.m.]
2312. For past 4 months Legation has been obtaining information on Danish persons and firms who have been actively cooperating with Germans. Assistance of Danish refugee has been employed in preparing file which now consists of over 1,000 names.
Legation believes that such a file is important at present time in order to prevent, as far as possible, trade by Swedish firms with undesirable Danish firms and to prevent Danish firms from obtaining agencies from United States for postwar through use of mail facilities from Sweden. Moreover, such file if adequately and thoroughly prepared would serve useful purpose during period of occupation and immediately after.
In order that an accurate and fair file may be prepared Legation has approached Ebbe Munck63 for his assistance. Munck is one of the leading Danes in Sweden who has for several years acted in full cooperation with British and Americans on Danish questions. Prior to recent arrival of Erling Foss,64 Munck acted as representative in Sweden of Freedom Council, which is a top central organization conducting resistance in Denmark. Munck and Foss are preparing a statement of principles for judging Danish cases and have requested cooperation this Legation and British Legation on informal basis. Unless Department perceives objection, Legation intends to assist Munck and Foss in preparing such statement of principles and will [Page 179] informally sit with them and such other Danes as they may request on informal committee for drawing up a Danish “Black List”. Through connections in Denmark of Munck and Foss, excellent opportunity is presented for checking information already prepared by this Legation and for obtaining new information. Munck and Foss are anxious that such action be taken and point out that there is no carefully worked out “Black List” in Denmark. While various groups have their own lists both Munck and Foss fear such lists are unfair, incomplete and inadequate. Even on notorious pro-German firms in Denmark, adequate file and evidence of activities are lacking. British will also informally assist in this program. Legation is also attempting to prepare similar file for Norway, but to date Norwegian Legation, on advice from its Justice Department, London, has not been in position to assist Legation by making its files available. However, it is possible that solution to this problem will be worked out in near future.
My 621, June 26, 9 p.m. to London repeats this message.