Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-05-06
Sidelights on
TRADE AGREEMENT
Between u. S. and Norway
(By G. S. strandvold.)

Representatives or the United states
and Norwegian governments on Fiji
which is said to be the first of it's kind
entered into between a bslligsrent
and a neutral power. rhe afhxing Of
signatures marks the concentration
Of negotiations and } disc uSsions On
tending over the greater part of q
year AS far rs Sweden is concerued.
a tentative agreement is in force, but
Denmark so far has not beer able to
accede to the American demands and
war trade board and the Danish gov
eminent are still in progress.
Norway's food situation became
acute when Germany proclaimed her
unrestricted submarine warfare on
January 81, 1917, but in spite Of that
the Norwegian nation determined
that its trade was 10 go on, no matter
what the sacrifices and suferings
might be.
on July 1~5,s1s17., however. the sit
uation became more. critical, than ever
before because on that day the United
States government published its ex-
port embargo proclamation reducing
trade with Norway and other neutral
countries to an almost irreducible
minimum, and twelve days later a
special Norwegian commission, head
ed by DR.. Fridtjof Nansen and con-
sisting, besides, Of W.. NJ. Morgen-
Throne Hoist, c. Bergen and Torger
Melting, arrived in this country for
the purpose Of conducting negotia-
ticns with the Washington govern
men so as to obtain the admission of
certain notifications in the stringent
American regulations.
Norway Offers Tonnage.
Having made a survey Of the situa-
ton in the course of a week., the Nor
wegian special commission August 2
announced h a its government was
willing to offer one million tons of
shipping to the United States in re-
turn for certain trade privileges.
Meanwhile. the negotiations drag
ged along, and on October 20 DIR.
Nansen tersely described the status of
affairs as follows:
ut all reminds me Of saying that
to be we'll known in America, also:
The operation was successful, but
the patient died." and home senti-
ment was apparently accurately re-
ected in the statement on November
IL by President Mowinckel Of the
Norwegian storting, who emphatically
said:
IAN agreement with America would
be paid too dearly if 1t were to be at
the expense Of our own neutrality"
Two. weeks later it was announced
that only 10000 tons Of grain was
available in Norway-enough for
about W months. ana there were no
prospects Of receiving any foodstuffs
from the United States. On Decem
Der 10, the United States presented a
proposal which forms the basis OF the
agreement signed las Friday. and
which was hotly debated in the stor-
ting, and three days later cabled re-
ports indicated that Norwegian eenti-
n1ent toward the United States was
gradually growing more bitter.
State Controls Food.
At the beginning Of this yea a ra-
tioning system was tnauEurated in
Norway, and the government took
steps to exert a very drastic control
with all foodstuns. The Morgen-
bladet Of January l wrote 'editorially:
THE most vital question in many
year, is: Will we obtain an agree
ment with America, or will we not?
The situation Just nov IL this that&a
suggestion has come from America
for the solution of the problem. That
suggestion Is quite unacceptable"
About four months ago the Ameri-
can war trade board handed a list of
commodities which the United states
government would agree to export to
Norway. to DR.. NaEsen; that list u
essentially the sarlr as that outlined in
the ~telegraphed reports about the fin
nj agreement hast Friday. namely,
800, 900 tons Of breed grains. 100000
tons Of foodstuffs. 1880 toni of cof-
fee. $4,000 tons of sugar, 10000 tons
Of pork and beef. 1880 tons Of min
eral oils given January S26, 1915, as
$4,000 tons), and lesser quantities OF
other highly essential commodities
In return, It was said. Norway was
to put herself under obligation to ex-
port only II 5000 tons of fish to the
Central Powers--provided, however.
that the fish and fish products are not
prepared for export by the use OF
American ingredients Of any kinds.
Norway Agrees 70 Terms.
On Wash'ngten's birthday 1t was
announced that Norway had accepted.
the American conditions, which were
a. follows:
That Norway will not permit Amer
lean products to goa#to the Central
Powers; that y VIII not export to the