File No. 763.72112/3130
The Minister in Norway (Schmedeman) to the Secretary of State 2
[Received November 3.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that, when calling on the Minister for Foreign Affairs this morning, he informed me that an agreement has practically been concluded between the Norwegian and British Governments, according to which the British Government agrees to allow the Norwegian Government to import from America a maximum quantity of grain and cereals, of colonial goods (groceries), and of pork and lard. The maximum quantities will be [Page 590] agreed upon between the British Government and a Norwegian delegation consisting of Mr. Kristian Friis Petersen, chief of the Victualing Commission (Provianteringscommission) and the respective representatives of the three associations representing the above-mentioned groups of provisions, who are now on their way to London to conclude the negotiations.
Mr. Ihlen stated that he had every reason to believe that such an agreement would be most pleasing to the Norwegian traders who have been forced, in a great many cases since the outbreak of the war, to submit their books to the control of the British authorities, which would thus be obviated.
I have [etc.]
- Copy forwarded to the Ambassador in Great Britain with instructions to furnish further information, No. 4454, November 9, 1916.↩