740.00112 European War 1939/8–2444: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 24—7:30 p.m.]
6870. From Riefler. The Department’s telegram to London No. 6665, August 2199 was taken up both with Foreign Office and MEW. Foot of MEW has just informed me that British are prepared to go along with our informal approach to Swiss on the lines of reference telegram. They are also prepared to follow up the informal approach if unsuccessful with formal demands provided these demands are not of such a nature as to force Swiss breaking off political and diplomatic relations with Germany or endangering its position as protecting power. They feel, therefore, that we should be willing to accept if necessary, something less than complete stoppage of all Swiss exports (including low priority exports) to the Axis. They have shown me their telegram instructing British Minister in Bern to join his American colleague in initiating immediately the informal [Page 762] approach. This telegram is being repeated to Washington with instructions to show it to Department and FEA.
Repeated Bern as 272. [Riefler.]