857.85/9–2242
The Norwegian Embassy to the Department of State
Memorandum
For some time past the Norwegian Embassy (Legation)7 and the Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission have called the attention of [Page 81] the United States authorities to the grievous losses sustained by the Norwegian Merchant Marine during the present war. These losses have been suffered in the course of participation of Norwegian ships in the common war effort of the United Nations against the aggressors. More than 300 Norwegian ships, and approximately 1600 Norwegian sailors have been lost. In order to show the extent of the contribution of Norwegian shipping to the Allied cause it may be recalled that in 1941 about 40% of all the oil and gasoline and about 30% of the food stuffs from the Western Hemisphere to Great Britain were carried in Norwegian ships.
It has been maintained by the Norwegian Ambassador and Norwegian shipping, representatives in the United States that it would be not only fair, but also in the interest of the common war effort that to the greatest possible extent Norway be compensated for her losses at sea, in order that the Norwegian Merchant Marine might be enabled to continue fully that contribution for which it is peculiarly fitted by tradition and by the training and inclination of Norwegian sailors.
The fairness and reasonableness of this point of view has met with the generous understanding of the American authorities, and this attitude found expression also in the Lend Lease arrangement between the United States and Norway of July 11, 1942, in connection with which the following statement was made:
“The Government of the United States of America recognizes that the Norwegian Merchant Fleet not only constitutes an important contribution to the war effort of the United Nations but is likewise one of the principal national assets of the Royal Norwegian Government and, accordingly, that the latter Government, which is operating its Fleet for the benefit of the United Nations in the common war effort, should be assisted in replacing ships lost in the service of the United Nations. Accordingly, the Government of the United States of America will continue to review the situation with the Royal Norwegian Government with a view to assisting that Government in a program of replacement as soon as conditions permit. The two Governments agree that negotiations to this end should be commenced without delay and should be pressed to a conclusion as promptly as possible.”
The President of the United States has taken a personal and active interest in this matter and in the course of discussion with the Norwegian Ambassador on April 10th and August 12th this year has favored the transfer of new American built cargo ships to the Norwegian Merchant Marine, to be manned by Norwegian crews and managed by the Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission in the common United Nations’ interest for the duration of the war. The mutual and expressed understanding has been that at the cessation of hostilities a way should be found to transfer such ships to Norway for title on terms which take into account both the depreciation of the ships at that time [Page 82] and the sacrifices rendered by Norway and her contribution to the common victory.
In order to carry out this program partly to compensate Norway for her losses, discussions have been taking place for some months past between the Norwegian Ambassador and the Department of State and between representatives of the Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission and the Maritime Commission. It has been suggested that as an initial step, for instance 10 new American ships be transferred immediately to the Norwegian flag for the duration of the war, without awaiting the conclusion of simultaneous discussions as to the terms of the definite transfer to Norwegian ownership after the war.
It has been the confident hope of the Norwegian Ambassador that these discussions might come to a definite issue at an early date. Several hundreds of Norwegian sailors and merchant marine officers, including a considerable number of highly skilled engineers trained and practiced in the handling of Diesel engines, are to-day unemployed, eagerly awaiting—most of them in New York—the opportunity to join once more those who are carrying vital supplies to our common fronts. It would seem to be a waste of highly efficient manpower to have these men, much against their inclination, remain idle longer than absolutely necessary.
The Norwegian Ambassador is leaving shortly for London to report to his Government. He would greatly appreciate if this matter of transferring, as an initial step to restitute the Norwegian Merchant Marine, 10 new American ships, preferably Diesel-motor driven vessels, to the Norwegian flag, might be consummated before his departure for London.
As stated above these discussions have now been carried on for a considerable period and the time would seem to be ripe for action in view of the urgency of the shipping problem facing the United Nations. The Norwegian Government temporarily residing in London is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the discussions carried on in Washington, and the Ambassador feels that if he could carry to London the message of the completion of the first stage of these negotiations, it would be deeply appreciated by those who are leading the fight for a free Norway in a free World.
The Norwegian Ambassador respectfully suggests that if it should be considered essential to the early determination of this question of vital importance to Norway and to the common war effort, the matter be placed before the President of the United States.
- The Norwegian Legation in the United States was raised to the rank of Embassy on May 13, 1942.↩