The Minister is very anxious to know our attitude to this proposed
Conference and whether we would consider taking part in it. At your
convenience I should like to talk the matter over.
[Enclosure]
Memorandum by the Swedish Minister (Ekengren)
At the beginning of September last the following communication was,
by agreement between Sweden, Norway and Denmark, confidentially made
to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs at The Hague, Madrid and Berne
through the Legations of the three northern countries:
“At the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Sweden,
Norway and Denmark at Copenhagen in March, 1916, the question of
cooperation with other neutral powers for the safeguarding of
common interest, jeopardized by the World War, was the object of
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preliminary
deliberations. It is the intention to prosecute this scheme on
[in] the forthcoming meeting at
Christiania by bringing up the question of issuing invitations
to a conference to be held by neutral powers in order to
consider common interests especially with regard to commerce,
neutrality rules and the application of these rules. In choosing
the subjects for discussion it is a leading principle to avoid
even appearance of taking sides with either of the belligerent
parties. The question, of mediation is excluded from the
program.”
This communication was received with sympathy and interest.
Consequently at the meeting at Christiania it was moved by the
Swedish delegate that steps should be taken in order to convoke such
a conference.
As special subjects to be brought up at the conference were mentioned:
- Treatment of submarines and airships;
- Destruction of neutral prizes and the question of granting
the right of asylum to such prizes;
- Questions arising out of the issuing and application of
“black-lists” by the belligerents;
- Preparatory steps for adjusting the economic situation
after the war and of apprising each other of steps taken
during the war for economical-political purposes.
Both Norway and Denmark having expressed their approval of this plan,
it was agreed that, as a suitable preliminary measure
representatives of the three northern countries and Holland, Spain
and Switzerland should meet to discuss how such cooperation as above
mentioned should best be established and to draw up proposals for
the organisation of a conference and for a final program.
It was also decided that the United States Government should be
afforded an opportunity to take part in these deliberations, which
could take place, either at a meeting of special delegates, or, if
it should be deemed more practical, at a meeting of a member of the
Government of the country, in which the meeting was held, and the
ministers accredited to that country. Finally it was agreed that the
deliberations take place at Stockholm, where all of the States
invited have diplomatic representatives.
