Office of the Historian

740.00112 European War 1939/9–244: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)8

Washington, September 5, 1944—9 p.m.

3065. It would appear that whereas we presented them together the Swiss are separating the questions of prohibiting exports to Germany and of enemy transit traffic, relegating the latter to a lower level. Hohl’s remarks as reported in your 5759, September 29 are not only unsatisfactory as to content but reveal an obsolete approach to the problem. We realize that Hohl is a technical man and incompetent to pass on the broader political aspects involved. Please make it clear to Pilet-Golaz that the two questions are of equal importance to us and that we expect them to be considered on the same high level.

Hull
  1. Repeated to London as telegram 7198, with the following opening paragraph: “Following is Department’s to Bern in reply to latter’s report of conversation between Hohl and British and American Commercial Attachés on transit question.”↩
  2. Not printed; Hohl refused to restrict transit traffic from Italy to Germany to the satisfaction of the United States, stating that Switzerland must remain on as good terms with Germany as with the United States (740.00112 European War 1939/9–244).↩