File No. 763.72112/2819
The Swedish Minister ( Ekengren ) to the Secretary of State
[Handed by the Minister to the Acting Secretary, August 4.]
Sir: His Majesty’s Government has instructed me to bring to your excellency’s knowledge that the Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish Ministers at London and Paris, have this day, because of the British order in council and the French decree of July 7, 1916, presented to the British and French Governments, respectively, a communication which, translated into English, and mutatis mutandis, reads as follows:
With reference to the British order in council (French decree) of July 7, 1916, which declares definitely null and void the Declaration of London and which establishes certain rules concerning marine rights, His Majesty’s Government considers that these rules are not in conformity with the recognized rules of international law, and therefore makes the reservation to present such requests and demands as the application of the said rules to Swedish ships and cargoes may make necessary.
In view of the very great importance attached to concordant action on the part of the neutral powers His Majesty’s Government has further instructed me to make the proposition to your excellency that the Government of the United States make similar presentation in this matter to the British and French Governments.
Complying with these instructions from His Majesty’s Government, I have [etc.]