840.00/5–1548: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Sweden
410. Attitude other participants western union toward Scand adherence substantially same that of Dutch reported Embtel 591.1 Brit have indicated to Dept desire for participation Scand but doubt that Swed would abandon neutrality. They are working on Nor. French view is as reported in Paris 20 to you May 21.2 Belgians agreeable to all Scand adherence but believe Swedes will cling to neutrality. Spaak attaches greater importance to getting five-power machinery working effectively than to haste in admitting additional countries. Permanent Commission Western Union has not discussed extension invitation to any other country. Attitude Scand countries is being taken into consideration by it and believed to be dependent in part on degree of security which Western Union might offer which in turn involves role of US. Since our role not yet crystallized it is difficult for us to attempt to influence Scand. We fully agree on your estimate of effect on Swed of Nor and Dan adherence.
- In telegram 591, May 15 from Stockholm, not printed, Matthews informed the Department that the Dutch Minister in Sweden had received from his government the word that if Sweden (or Norway and Denmark) voluntarily gave indications of a desire to adhere to the Brussels Pact, such adherence would be very welcome (840.00/5–1548).↩
- Telegram 20 to Stockholm repeated telegram 2694 to the Department from Paris of the same date, not printed (840.00/5–2148).↩