740.00112 EW/4–1745

The Secretary of State to the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Eden)

Dear Anthony: With reference to your letter of April 17, I am very pleased to inform you that telegrams have been sent to the American Embassy at London and the American Legation at Stockholm informing them of the approval of this Government of all outstanding applications covering proposed intra-blockade relief shipments from Sweden to Norway. Furthermore, this Government will be prepared to give favorable consideration to further applications covering modest relief shipments provided a situation does not develop in Norway which might result in a large portion of these supplies falling into German hands. We prefer, however, that each application be referred to Washington for consideration by the appropriate agencies of this Government rather than to give the American members on the Joint Standing Commission at Stockholm a certain degree of discretion.

With best wishes,

Sincerely yours,

Edward R. Stettinius, Jr.