File No. 657.119/136
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 18, 7.25 a.m.]
7721. Your 5820, November 15, 5 p.m. Following from McCormick for War Trade Board:
Our 9. Jones’ cable 5820 concerning proposed Norwegian agreement received. I am sorry there seems to be some misunderstanding as the agreement is based upon same general principle as Danish agreement which I understand President approved, the exception being that our Minister to Norway confirmed by the Ministers of Great Britain and France, believing that the Norwegian Government and people might accept a prohibition of all exports to Germany if we gave them all their needs and also guarantee them a market for their usual exports, desires an opportunity to try this proposal. If total cessation of exports to Germany will not be acceded to, which we doubt, our proposal approves of an export of forty thousand tons of fish which is not far below the amount suggested to us by Doctor Nansen before we left America.
We find that a full disclosure of our negotiations with Nansen has been withheld from the Norwegian Government and people by the Foreign Minister … and that he has been concealing the true facts, and it is the opinion of those best informed that our proposition would be acceptable to the Government and people.
[Page 1070]This agreement seems vital to me to prevent the enemy from securing most important materials for munitions and food and does not interfere with Norway’s normal business and cares for her own needs. Delay serious because Germany is now trying to make a trade.