Mr. Thomas to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Stockholm, May 30,
1899.
No. 85.]
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your instruction No. 54, of May 18, relative to the new rules
of the board of health of
[Page 724]
Christiania, Norway, affecting the meat exports from the United States,
and to inform yon that I have addressed a note npon the subject to the
acting minister for foreign affairs, a copy of which is inclosed
herewith, requesting that the certificates and meat-inspection stamps of
the Government of the United States may be accepted without the required
authentication by a Swedish-Norwegian consul at the port of
shipment.
I also called this afternoon at the foreign office, and in a full and
free conversation with the chief secretary earnestly supported the view
of our Government.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Thomas to
Baron Akerhielm.
Legation of the United States,
Stockholm, May
30, 1899.
Sir: Referring to my note of April 12 last,
I have the honor to call your excellency’s attention to the new
rules of the board of health of Christiania promulgated February 1
last, affecting meat exports from the United States.
I am informed that under these rules the president of the board of
health, Mr. G. E. Bentzen, takes the ground that the inspection
certificates of the United States Government should be authenticated
by a Swedish-Norwegian consul at the port of shipment.
In compliance with instructions from the Secretary of State, I have
the honor to request that the certificates and meat-inspection
stamps of the Government of the United States may be accepted
without the required authentication by a Swedish-Norwegian
consul.
The Government of the United States does not understand the necessity
for the consular authentication nor perceive what additional
security is given to the consumer thereby. It, of course, does not
claim that the inspected meat will keep indefinitely. The inspection
simply determines that the animals are healthy at the time of
slaughter.
I beg, etc.,
