711.572/29

The Norwegian Minister (Bryn) to the Acting Secretary of State

My Dear Mr. Acting Secretary of State: On February 2nd, 1918, the American Minister at Christiania gave official notification [Page 48] to the Norwegian Government in accordance with which our Treaty of Commerce and Navigation will terminate on February 2nd, 1919.51

During a conversation which I thereupon had with the Secretary of State, Mr. Lansing was good enough to say that if the Norwegian Government should be desirous of negotiating about a new treaty, he would be glad to enter upon such negotiations.

In reply to this agreeable offer I addressed, on June 11th, 1918, a personal note to Mr. Lansing,52 informing him that I had received a communication from the Norwegian Government stating that the same will appreciate very much to negotiate about a new treaty of commerce and navigation as well as a special consular convention. I added that my Government would furnish me with the necessary instructions as soon as possible.

By a personal note to me, dated June 18, 1918, Mr. Lansing acknowledged the receipt of my said note.52

Owing to the uncertainty about the principles which will govern the commercial relations between the different nations after the conclusion of peace, my Government has as yet not been able to issue the necessary instructions to me as to the details of a new treaty of commerce and navigation. My Government is of opinion that it would be preferable to defer the negotiations until an appropriate time after the conclusion of peace when we shall have full knowledge of all guiding principles.

Out of such considerations the treaties of commerce and navigation between Norway and France, which had been denounced, have been extended for a period of three months, with the understanding that they will be further extended for three months at a time until a new treaty can be concluded.

The Norwegian Government is now seeking an arrangement on the same lines with Spain, whose treaty with Norway also had been denounced.

The Norwegian Government is desirous of obtaining a similar arrangement with the Government of the United States, whereby the termination of the Treaty of July 4th, 1827, would be postponed for three months, except as regard those articles in said treaty which the Government of the United States desires to terminate under any circumstances and possibly other articles.

If the Government of the United States agrees to withdraw the denunciation of the treaty for three months, the treaty would expire on May 2nd, 1919, except as regards certain specified articles which would expire on February 2nd, 1919, in accordance with the original notification of denunciation.

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It is understood that further provisional postponements of the entrance into force of the notification of denunciation, would be agreed upon for three months at a time until a new treaty of commerce and navigation can be concluded.

If you should be willing to agree to a provisional arrangement as outlined above, I presume that it would be sufficient to consign the same in diplomatic notes.

Hoping that you may find it possible to comply with my Government’s desire, I beg you to believe me, my dear Mr. Polk,

Sincerely yours,

H. Bryn
  1. See Foreign Relations, 1918, pp. 57.
  2. Not printed.
  3. Not printed.