763.72119/3267
The Minister in Norway ( Schmedeman ) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received January 4, 1919.]
Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 1068 of November 23rd,2 I have the honor to confirm my telegram No. 1420 of the 5th inst.3 and to enclose herewith copy and translation of the note addressed by the Norwegian Government to the French Government4 relative to this Government’s desire to participate from the beginning in the forthcoming deliberations concerning the organization of a League of Nations as well as in those regarding any other question of direct importance to Norwegian interests.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs5 informed me that a copy of the note had been forwarded to the Norwegian Minister at Washington, for communication to the Department, and that similar representations had been made by the other Scandinavian Governments.
In view of the information in my possession, as reported to the Department in my despatch No. 1068, I sounded His Excellency as to the detailed nature of this Government’s demands, but he was noncommittal in his replies.
Mr. Ihlen stated that in his opinion it was most important for the Foreign Ministers of the neutral countries to come into personal contact with the Secretary of State of the United States, and added that if an invitation to attend the Paris Conference were extended to neutral Foreign Ministers he was sure such an invitation would be accepted with pleasure.
His Excellency also expressed the desire that if neutral Foreign Ministers were asked to attend the conference they be accompanied by the American Chiefs of Missions in the respective countries, in which connection I beg leave to confirm that the British Minister as well as the Commercial and Naval Attachés of the British Legation here, and the British representatives at Stockholm and Copenhagen have gone to London.
My impression is that the foregoing statements of the Minister for Foreign Affairs represent the result of recent negotiations with the Swedish and Danish Governments.
[Page 239]It seems to me that it would be an excellent idea for the Foreign Ministers to meet in Paris and become acquainted with the representatives of other nations and that it could but have the result of strengthening and developing friendly international relations.
It might also be a good idea to ask the Chiefs of Missions to be present at the conference in an advisory capacity, to discuss with the delegates questions concerning the countries to which they are accredited, but I would recommend that they be accompanied by a member of the War Trade Board and the Naval and Military Attachés.
As I have already reported to the Department (see my despatches No. 1029 of October 29th and 1032 of November 1st last6), the idea of the establishment of a League of Nations has been greeted with great satisfaction in this country and the press and the people are unanimous in giving expression to their enthusiasm as well as to the hope that Norway may be allowed to participate in it. There is also great satisfaction in political circles that the President is attending the conference personally, as this country has great faith in his judgment and it is felt that his presence will ensure the safeguarding of the interests of small nations.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed; most of substance of despatch contained in telegram No. 1363. Nov. 21, 1918, 8 p.m., p. 236.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Not printed; an identic note from the Danish Minister at Paris to the French Government is printed supra. A translation of the Norwegian note was also transmitted to the Department by the Norwegian Minister in a note of Dec. 23, 1918 (file No. 763.72119/3182).↩
- Nils Ihlen.↩
- Neither printed.↩