File No. 763.72112/2540

The Consul at Stavanger ( Dunlap ) to the Secretary of State

No. 23

Sir: I have the honor to enclose a confidential report on the Stavanger Packers’ Import Union, in triplicate, a list of packers, members [Page 589] and not members of the union, and a letter to Abbott, Hall & Co., 12 South Market Street, Boston, Mass., regarding the subject.1 The triplicate copies of the report and list are to accompany the letter if the Department considers it advisable to give out this information.

While I have marked the information “Confidential” because of its relation to a political question, there is still nothing contained in it that is not generally known here. The list was freely given me by the union even though I stated my intention to send it to an inquirer in America.

I have [etc.]

Maurice P. Dunlap
[Enclosure]

Report on the Stavanger Packers’Import Union

The Stavanger Packers’ Import Union is an organization of canning factories which desire to obtain their foreign supplies without interference from the British authorities, and which have, therefore, given guarantees that these supplies will not in any form reach the powers at war with Great Britain. The Norwegian name of the union is the Stavanger Hermetikfabrikanters Import-forening. Of the 53 packers in town, 35 are members, and these compose the so-called “white list.” Other packers here are on the “black list.” The union has been discussed for some time but final arrangements were only made a few weeks ago.

The packers in the union have each given a bond of $6,700 to bind their agreement. In case any of their goods are found en route to Germany, a heavy fine will be imposed and the factories have even agreed that the fine may be in excess of the guarantee. A committee of the packers has the executive power and stands responsible to the British authorities for the keeping of the agreement.

The British authorities in turn promise not to hinder the delivery of goods necessary to the canning trade, such as tomato paste, tin, and oil, to the “white” factories. Patrol ships regularly stop most of the merchant vessels coming to Norway as they pass the British Isles, and so can exercise this supervision; also, regular Norwegian lines dependent on England for coal are in no position to object to English restrictions.

The point of the matter with relation to the United States is that goods addressed to factories on the “white list” will probably reach the buyers without delay; those addressed to “black list” buyers may never get there.

The union does not include any members outside the town of Stavanger, but about two-thirds of all the fish factories in Norway are located here.

  1. List and letter not printed.