New-York tribune., 1917-07-27
Nansen Here With
Norway S Mission;
Opposes Embargo

Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, Arctic explorer
and Norwegian diplomat, heads mis-
sion of nine prominent Norwegians
who arrived in New York yesterday 20
discuss with the United States officials
the future of the economic situation
in Norway in view of the American
governments embargo.
DR.. Nansen, as spokesman Of the
mission, told of the difficulties to be
overcome and the immediate and press
ing needs Of his country.
Primarily we seek to effect an
agreement, similar TO the one termi-
mated with the Allies on August IS,
1916, whereby Norway is allowed to eX-
port certain products TO Germany. 1t
is a mutual trade policy dealing par
ticularly with the export Of fish and
dairy products to the Central Powers,
and the giving over of considerable
tonnage for the uses of the Allies.
Norway must have grain, fats and
sugars from the United States" DR..
Nansen said. 81 have all the sworn
statistics of Norwegian consumption of
these necessities, and | hope to con-
vince the American government that il
is absolutely essential for the economic
welfare of my country that the United
States permit these necessities to be
shipped in amounts sufficient to satisfy
the immediate needs"
Norway Must Have Grain
Norway. according to DR.. Nansen,
raises only one-third to one-half the
necessary grain. She must import ap-
proximately 100000 tons, consisting
chiefly of wheat and barley, and about
$4,000 tons of maize to be used for
cattle fodder. He explained that all on
the grain importations must not neces-
sarily come from the United States,
since a considerable amount in years
past has come from Argentina and Aus
tralia. "But," he said. without any
expectations from the United States
Norway will fare badly"
Regarding the American objection
that a portion of the grains, fats or
sweets finds its way into Germany, DR..
Nansen stated that the strictest watch
was kept on everything crossing the
line. Several smugglers of insignificant
amounts of fooGstuffs were caught re-
Gently and. in addition to heavy fines
being imposed upon them, were sent
TO prison.
DR.. Nansen stated that he hoped to
bring about an agreement with the
United States principally on account Of
the large amount Of Norwegian carry
ing trade between the United States
and her Allies.
81 believe that is a point which your
government will not overlook he said.
an many instances, during the present
stringcncy of transatlantic bottoms,
the services which Norway has render
ed the United States are considerable"
Ship Losses Enormous
"Of course. our loss Of ships due to
the sink or sight policy of the U-boats
has been tremendous. We have lost
more than 100000 tons, and the people
of Norway are clamoring for retribu-
tion or retaliation. The losses Of all
other neutrals, with a possible eXcep-
ton of the Dutch, have been only one
third to one-half as great as ours has
been.
at is the difficulty Of transportation
which has caused the great rise IN the
price of necessities. Living has ad-
vanced nearly 500 per cent, and Will
continue 10 rise until some sol luton
may be found TO insure the safe ar
rival of our cargo vessels.
"At the present time coal IN Nor
wav costs $50 a ton, and is then often
rnobtainable. Nearly all the coal used
in Norway comes from England. The
price in England is cheap enough, but
after paying 80 per cent war risk in
surance. accompanied by the too fire.
cuent sinking of the cargo, the price
at its point Of destination has become
prohibitive.'
Dr.. Nansen then told of the interior
conditions Of Norway, saying that many
Of the large factories and mills had
been forced TO shut down because Of
their inability to obtain fuel. Many
plants were trying to use wood, he
said, in order to keep their hands en-
rloyed.