Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1921, Volume II

411.57 N 83/42

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

Washington, June 3, 1919.

Mr. Acting Secretary of State: I am instructed by the Norwegian Government to state to the Government of the United States that the Government of Norway has examined the contract between the United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation and the Norges Rederforbund, dated June third, 1919,² relative to the settlement of twenty-seven claims of Norwegian subjects, represented by said Norges Rederforbund in connection with certain property and rights described in said agreement of settlement and alleged to have been requisitioned by the United States;³ that the Government of Norway approves without reservation said contract of settlement and that the Government of Norway hereby formally guarantees to save the Government of the United States or any of its branches harmless from any claims on the part of the Norges Rederforbund or the members thereof, or of any other persons, firms, associations or corporations having or claiming to have any right, title, or interest in the said property or rights, or any claims arising out of either, and that further the Government of Norway hereby waives any claims on its own behalf and on behalf of all citizens, firms, associations, or corporations of Norway arising out of or having relation to the said twenty-seven alleged cases of requisition; and finally, that the Government of Norway recognizes and agrees that the said contract of settlement constitutes a final settlement and disposition of all questions arising between the two Governments in connection with the said twenty-seven alleged cases of requisition.

As interest, in case of postponement of the payment agreed upon in said contract, is to be paid from the date upon which said guaranty has been produced, which date constitutes the due date of the payment I venture to ask that the United States Shipping Board be today notified about the filing of the present undertaking. I also ask that I be advised that such notification has been given.

Please accept [etc.]

H. Bryn

2. Not printed.
3. $34,500,000 was the sum agreed upon in settlement.