File No. 763.72/7835
The Minister in Norway ( Schmedeman ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10.08 p.m.]
390. I learn on good authority that the principal object of the King of Denmark in coming to the Royal conference here November 28 is to prevent this Government from engaging itself to permit the Allies to establish a naval base in Norway in any contingency that may arise. German Minister for Foreign Affairs is believed to have let it be understood that in case the Allies attempt to establish such a base in Norway the German Government will at once scramble for a similar base on the west coast of Denmark. It is not improbable that the foregoing plans have taken shape in consequence of visit of the [Page 1072] naval attaché of this Legation and the British naval attaché to London.