Swedish population rejoices at invasion
Premier and foreign minister, however, reiterate neutrality
Stockholm, Sweden – (June 6)
The peal of church bells and the roar of guns accompanied the invasion news in Stockholm today. It was coincidence, however, for today was Swedish Flag Day and King Gustav’s name day, which is always celebrated with the ringing of church bells and a 21-gun salute.
The invasion was the only subject of conversation in Stockholm today although the stolid Swedes did not throw confetti or streamers or give any noisy expression of their feelings.
The afternoon newspapers kept publishing extras throughout the day, the first one being on the street well before 11:00 a.m. (local time). After that, new extras kept appearing every hour.
While there was no mistaking the joy of the population that the invasion had begun with hopeful signs of initial success, there was equal satisfaction here that the Allied had picked the Normandy coast and not Norway, as such a move might conceivably have brought Sweden into the war.
Christian E. Günther, Swedish Foreign Minister, speaking yesterday on the occasion of Swedish Flag Day, reiterated that Sweden would “openly stand by her attitude and policy” on neutrality and added that the Swedish people “had no reason to do penance.”
Mr. Günther’s remarks were echoed by the Swedish Premier, Per Albin Hansson, who said that Sweden was “ready now and in the future to meet any possible storms that might sweep the country.”
The statements of the two Swedish leaders were broadcast domestically by the Swedish radio and reported by the Federal Communications Commission.