New-York tribune., 1918-05-04
and
America Sign
Trade Pact
First of Kind With North
European Neutral; Reg
ulates Exports


general commercial agreement be-
tween the United States and Norway,
the first agreement of the kind to be
entered into by America with one of
the North European neutrals,. was..an
nounced tonight by the War Trade
Board.
Under the agreement, Norway is as
sured of supplies to cover her esti-
mated needs, SO far as they can be
furnished without detriment to the
war needs of the United States and
it's associates, and Norway, on her
part, agrees to permit unhampered ex-
port to America and its allies of all
Norwegian products not needed for
home consumption
1t is provided that none of the sup
plies imported from the United States
or it's associates or forwarded with the
aid of American bunker coal shall go
directly or indirectly to the Central
Powers or be used to replace commod-
tiles exported to those countries. This
applies TO anything produced by any
auxiliaries to production obtained un-
der the agreement.
Signed. by Mccormick and Nansen
The agreement was signed by Vance
C. Mccormick, chairman of the War
Trade Board, and DR.. Fridtjof Nansen.
the famous explorer, on special mis-
sion to this country from Norway.
The agreement contains long sched-
ules enumerating the quantities Of
foodstuffs. fodder. fertilizer, textiles,
metals and minerals, rubber and mis-
cellaneous commodities which Norway
is entitled to receive. Norway is to
furnish many things, including nj
trates, iron ore. metals used in harden
mine props, wood pulp and other eX-
ports, particularly for the Allies,
Americas own requirements in the
way of imports from Norway being
relatively small.
ut is of course provided that none
of the supplies imported from the
United States or it's associates or
forwarded by the aid of American
bunker coal shall go directly or indi-
rectly to any of the Central Powers
or be used to replace commodities ex-
ported to those countries" says a
statement by the War Trade Board.
Bunker coal and supplies for ships
carrying the supplies to Norway will
be furnished, and such vessels will not
be seized or hampered by the United
States and associated governments,
though the powers of inspection and
supervision necessary under war con-
ditions are, of course, retained.
"The agreement, which in it's terms
is considered most liberal to Norway,
represents an arrangement satisfactory
to both parties, the American repre-
sentatives having some time ago in
formed Commissioner Nansen that
they accepted the final Norwegian pro-
posal as a basis for the completed
agreement.
"The War Trade Board believes that
this liberality toward Norway and the
sacrifices which this country is making
to place at the disposal of that coun-
try the supplies of which Norway
stands in need will be understood and
indorsed by the American people. in
view of the attitude which Norw-gians
have adopted and maintained in adher-
ing to their right and obligation as a
neutral seafaring nation and PUBLIC
carrier to keep their shipping in oper-
alton regardless of the menace of the
ruthless, unsparing German submarine
attempting to enforce an illegal, pi-
ratio hold-up of the worlds commerce,
and of Norway's unwavering adherence
to it's neutrality in the face of heavy
German pressure.
ut will be remembered that, accord
ing to figures published short time
ago, Norway has paid heavy price
in 100000 tons of shipping destroyed
and 1000 lives sacrificed as toll to
the German submarines to maintain
this political and maritime neutrality.
Norway, in addition, alone of the
northern neutrals, is absolutely de-
pendent upon outside imports of food
and supplies to maintain her national
existence, and is not, aside from fish
and fish products, food exporting
nation"