File No. 763.72111N83/11

The British Embassy to the Department of State

[Extract]1

paraphrase of a telegram from mr. balfour to mr. barclay, dated august 6

The following telegram has been sent to His Majesty’s Minister at Christiania, dated August 5:

You are instructed to make a communication in the following sense to the Norwegian Government. It may be made in whatever way you think most desirable.

A mine barrage has been laid by the Allies between Great Britain and Norway across the North Sea. This barrage at the Norwegian end stops outside territorial waters, the British Government having taken every precaution not to infringe the sanctity of such waters.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  1. Complete text, post, p. 1770.