811.114 Reidun/112: Telegram (part air)
The Minister in Norway (Biddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 9—4:45 p.m.]
26. Department’s telegram No. 8, March 26, 6 p.m. and Legation despatch No. 148, March 2859 regarding seizure of steamship Reidun.
Acting Foreign Minister Aubert in exposition 1 hour’s duration yesterday reiterated with emphasis his remarks of March 25 concerning belief in illegal nature of action of the American authorities. He considered that Norwegian rights under treaty may have been infringed and that in a conflict between domestic law and international treaty, the Department of State should uphold treaty’s primacy against local authorities and insist that steamship Reidun and officers should be treated as property and subjects of a treaty nation.
Despatch will be forwarded.60