840.48/2728
The Minister in Norway (Schmedeman) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 3.]
Sir: Referring to the Department’s two unnumbered circular cable instructions received from Paris on March 15th30 and March 30th respectively, the latter bearing date of March 27th, 6 p.m.,31 relating to the question of extending credits to the countries of Central Europe, I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy and translation of a Note received from the Minister for Foreign Affairs,31 in which he states that the Norwegian Government is willing to present a Bill to the Storting requesting it to allow the Government to extend a credit of seventeen million kroner for herring and other fish, and perhaps whale oil for technical purposes, to these countries in accordance with the plan which was agreed upon at a conference held in Copenhagen on March 29th and 30th last.
In discussing this matter with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, he told me that the question of rendering relief to these countries had been under consideration in Copenhagen at a conference held there at which delegates were present from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Great Britain, and that the Norwegian representative, Doctor Arne Rustad, had agreed at that time that he would recommend to the Norwegian Government that a credit of seventeen million kroner be granted. As this amount was satisfactory to the Government the matter will shortly be taken up in the Storting.
I have [etc.]