File No. 657.119/132

The Minister in Norway ( Schmedeman ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

382. My telegrams 380 and 376 yesterday and November 14, respectively.3 It is officially announced to-day that on the initiative [Page 1067] of the King of Sweden a meeting of the three Scandinavian Kings accompanied by their Prime and Foreign Ministers will be held in Christiania November 28 to 30, next. It is not unreasonable to presume this meeting is in conformity with German wishes and is being held for the purpose of keeping Norway in line with the policy of Scandinavian cooperation. Such a course of action unquestionably has the support of certain members of the Norwegian Government particularly the Foreign Minister and the President of the Storthing.

In view of the forthcoming meeting Department may consider it advisable that conversations regarding Norwegian imports from America should be initiated here at once in order that Norway may not after the meeting present us with a fait accompli if we delay beginning of negotiations.

British and French Ministers are telegraphing their Governments in the same sense.

Referring to the Department’s 180, November 14, 6 p.m.,1 I am quite prepared to confer with McCormick at London but will await further instructions before acting.

Schmedeman
  1. Not printed.
  2. Not printed.