Cablegram 9 LONDON, 3 January 1940, 8.08 p.m.
FOR THE PRIME MINISTER MOST SECRET
War Cabinet has today been considering the question of German iron
ore supplies from Sweden, only source still open. German stock
unquestionably short probably not more than three months. Supplies
are shipped from Narvik and Lulea but from the latter only in
summer. Narvik supply [sic], owing to their going through
Norwegian territorial waters, have to date not been intercepted.
Norwegian Government now being informed that owing to outrages by
Germany on merchant shipping in territorial waters United Kingdom
propose to treat such waters as open sea. Final decision will be
taken when Norwegian reaction is ascertained. Sweden has already
been approached but notwithstanding that iron ore concerned is
Swedish offered no objection and indicated that the matter was one
for Norway.
Question of probable action by Germany resulting against Norway
and for [sic] [1] Sweden was considered in conjunction with whole
Scandinavian position which is already under examination.
BRUCE
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1 Bruce’s file copy read ‘and/or’ (see AA: M100, January 1940).
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[AA: A981, EUROPE 30, ii]
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