File No. 657.119/607
The Minister in Norway ( Schmedeman ) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 9, 6.15 a.m.]
871. The various branch agreements to be entered into with the Norwegian trade associations, under the agreement between the War Trade Board and Norway, are now undergoing final revision by the Allied Blockade Committee at London and the Inter-Allied Trade Committee here. When definite treaty formulated, these agreements will be submitted for acceptance and eventual signature to the trade associations. The British, French, and Italian Ministers here have shown [advised?] the Norwegian Government of the formal adherence of their respective Governments to the Norway-American agreement. My three colleagues will therefore sign the branch agreement on behalf of their Governments when the terms of the agreements have been accepted by the Norway trade associations. Under the proposed form of these agreements the obligation of the Norway trade associations will run to “representatives of the Associated Governments.” But before signing them, on behalf of the Government of the United States, I would request instructions and explicit authority to do so. Inasmuch, however, as the general agreement [Page 1197] is an agreement between the Norwegian Government and the War Trade Board, “an administrative agency of the Government of the United States,” it may be desirable for constitutional reasons to have the branch agreements with the Norway trade associations signed on behalf of the War Trade Board by its representative in Norway. London advised.