711.5721/42
The Secretary of State to the Norwegian Chargé ( Steen )
Sir: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your note of July 31, 1925, informing me that your Government will be glad to negotiate at Washington the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Consular Rights, which this Government desires to propose. I take pleasure in submitting to you for the consideration of your Government the draft of such a treaty.2
[Page 594]The document embodies a consular convention as well as a treaty of friendship and commerce. An attempt has been made to express the several articles in terms which definitely set forth the principles involved. By this means it is sought to avoid as far as possible danger of conflicting interpretations.
Article VII makes full provision for the enjoyment of the most favored nation treatment in its unconditional form, as applied to persons, vessels and cargoes, and to articles the growth, produce or manufacture of the United States and Norway. It will be seen that the most favored nation clause is applied to duties on imports and exports and to other charges, restrictions and prohibitions on goods imported and exported. In Article XXX it is provided that the Treaty shall from the date of the exchange of ratifications supplant the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation concluded by the United States and the King of Sweden and Norway on July 4, 1827.3
Your Government will of course understand that this Government reserves the right to make minor changes in the proposals in the event that in the course of the negotiations, occasion should arise for so doing.
While the negotiations will be conducted at this capital, the American Legation at Oslo will be kept fully informed in regard to the progress of the negotiations and will be prepared to engage in conversations directly with the Norwegian Foreign Office.
Accept [etc.]