War Trade Board Files: Danish Negotiations, Vol. II
The Chairman of the War Trade Board (McCormick) to the Danish Minister (Brun)
My Dear Mr. Minister: The War Trade Board, at its meeting this morning, considered various aspects of the negotiations which have now for some time been going on by the representatives of your Government in Washington and the War Trade Board with reference to the conclusion of a commercial understanding. Among other things, consideration was given to your suggestion that 50,000 tons of fertilizers should be included in the schedule of imports to Denmark in exchange for the export of 100,000 tons of grain to Norway. The decision of the Board was that this suggestion was unacceptable. The present delay in negotiations, the reason for which is not entirely clear to us, was also the subject of discussion, and the Board requested me to acquaint you with its feeling that in view of this delay, for causes for which the Board is not responsible, it will probably be necessary, if a final understanding is eventually reached, that the limitation on exports to the Central Powers which may be fixed shall become effective as of August 15, 1918. I am sure you will understand that otherwise the effect of the arrangements upon which we had tentatively agreed might to a large extent be nullified on account of the undue protraction of the negotiations. It is, I feel, to be regretted that after we were in accord on all subjects except nitrate imports the conclusion of negotiations should be delayed and many new questions re-opened by proposals for changes such as have recently been put forward on behalf of your Government.
I am [etc.]