The Norwegian Chargé to the Secretary of State.
Washington, December 7, 1905.
Mr. Secretary of State: One of the direct consequences of the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden is the cessation of any community between the two states as regards the conventions and international agreements jointly concluded by them with one or several other states. If these conventions and agreements could be heretofore considered as involving the joint responsibility of Norway and Sweden for the obligations placed upon each thereby, the Norwegian [Page 874] Government then deems itself from this time responsible only for the obligations in the said joint conventions and agreements which concern Norway. This likewise applies to the international conventions to which Norway and Sweden have jointly adhered. As for the conventions and agreements concluded separately by Sweden during the union and adhered to by Norway the Norwegian Government holds that it can not be considered to be responsible for the fulfillment of obligations thereby placed upon Sweden.
On the other hand, the Norwegian Government is of the opinion that all the conventions and international agreements concluded by Norway with one or several other states, either jointly with Sweden, or separately, or as an adhering party, continue in full force and effect, as heretofore, between Norway and the other contracting party or parties without any change in their provisions being effected by the dissolution of the union.
The Norwegian Government, however, reserves the right to make, after fuller consideration, a further communication as to whether and to what extent there shall be occasion to take up a revision of the texts of existing treaties between Norway and the United States of America.
While bringing the foregoing to your excellency’s knowledge, by order of my government, I avail, etc.,