CONTACT WITH HIMMLER
 
I. Background
 
     What follows can best be understood in the light of the general Swedish position and the 
 
organization of Swedish economy.  While in a political sense the Swedes are freedom-loving 
 
people and consequently more than 90% pro-United Nations, there is in Sweden a very deep 
 
seated fear and distrust of Russia and the motives of the existing Russian government. The 
 
Swedes, therefore, being a small nation, are looking for a counter-weight to Russia after the war. 
 
They believe that the only effective counter-weight for them is Germany. On this account and due 
 
to the fact that a very big proportion of Swedish foreign trade is conducted with Germany and 
 
that there are very heavy Swedish investments in Germany, the Swedes are anxious that Germany 
 
should not be totally destroyed. In fact, the Swedes would like to see the war brought to an end 
 
with the least possible destruction of Cermany.
 
                               Swedish economy is organized in three general blocks: (a) Government 
 
monopolies, including railroads, telephones, telegraphs, electric power, alcohol and