File No. 763.72111N83/5

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

[Telegram]

576. The following is translation of note dated today which has been confidentially handed me by the Minister for Foreign Affairs with the request that it be transmitted to my Government.

The Norwegian Government considers it advisable to reaffirm its neutrality during the war, which is still continuing between other powers, and to make the following declaration which is entirely in accord with the policy it has followed during the whole war and which I have the honor to request you kindly to bring to the knowledge of the American Government: Norway will, during the war, remain impartially neutral, will maintain her independence, and is determined if necessary to resist by force of arms any violation by any power or group of powers of her territorial rights, and to prevent the use of Norwegian territory as a base by any power whatever. The Norwegian Government considers it a logical consequence of its policy of neutrality that it should refuse during the war to enter into any negotiations with a power or group of powers or conclude any agreement which would render it impossible to maintain neutrality.

Finally it is a satisfaction to the Norwegian Government to be able to point out that at no time in the course of the war has any power requested Norway to participate in the war, or approached her for assistance or for permission to establish a base on Norwegian territory, or in any way made requests or representations with a view to persuade Norway to abandon her neutrality.

A similar note is understood to have been handed to all ministers here. Minister for Foreign Affairs informed me that foregoing note was occasioned by articles which have lately appeared in German newspapers attacking Norway in view of general pro-Ally sentiment and the contemplated trade agreements with the Allies as well as by allegations which have again reached the Minister for Foreign Affairs that certain Allied Powers are endeavoring to obtain a naval base in Norway.

Schmedeman