File No. 300.115/1094
The Minister in Norway (Schmedeman) to the Secretary of State
Christiania, November 3, 1914, 1 p.m.
[Received 8 p.m.]
[Telegram]
S. S. Bergensfjord , Norwegian American Line, sailed from New York for Norway October 21, seized by English warships near Shetland and taken to Orkney and held for three days by Great Britain authorities to inspect cargoes. At the request of Norwegian Government, through their diplomatic representative at London, was released. At the opening of the war vessels to and from Norway have been stopped by Great Britain warships, compelled to show their papers. Foreign Office informs me that English warships are taking vessels to England ports to inspect their cargoes. Their explanation for the change is their warships cannot stand still on the high seas on account of danger from German naval vessels.