The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-05-04
AMERICA ENTERS
INTO NORWEGIAN
COMMERCE PACT
First Agreement Between This
Country and a Northern
European Neutral
EXCHANGE ALL SUPPLIES
Provision Guards Against Any
Products Finding Way Into
German Hands ..
EXCHANGE ALL SUPPLIES

Washington, D. c., May 3.-Signing
of 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 export
to America and it's allies of all Nor.
Wegian 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 60
directly or indirectly to the central
powers or be used to replace commodi-
ties exported to those countries. This
applies to anything produced by any
auXiliaries to production obtained und-
er the agreement.
The agreement was signed by Vance
C. Mccormick, chairman of the war
trade board, and Dr. Fritjof Nansen,
the famous explorer, on special mis-
sion to this country from Norway.
Long Schedule. &
The agreement contains long sched-
ules enumerating the quantities OF
foodstuffs, fodder, fertilizer, textiles,
metals and minerals, rubber and mis-.
, cellaneous commodities including nit
rates. iron ore, metals used in harden
ing special process .steels, timber for
mine props, wood pulp, and other ex-
ports particularly for the allies, ,Amer1-
cas- own requirements In the way OF
imports from Norway being relatively
small.
1T is of course provided none Of the
supplies imported from the United
States or its associates or forwarded
by the aid of American bunker coal
shall go directly or indirectly to any
of the Central powers, or be used to
replace commodities exported to those
countries" says statement by the
war trade board announcing the agree
ment -.
Huns Excluded.
"A further but easily comprehensive
proviso stipulates nothing manufac.
tured, grown or produced by means of
machinery, implements, fuel, lubri-
cants or other auxiliaries to produc-
ton imported under the agreement is
to be exported to the Central powers.
Guarantees, too, are to be exacted by
Norway in the case Of any re'export
to neutrals against q benefit to Ger
many and its allies from such re-ex-
porting.
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, Nor
way alone Of the northern neutrals,
is absolutely dependent upon outside
imports of food and supplies and is
not aside from fish and fish products,
a food expectation nation"
"The principal items on the list OF
supplies for Norway include 100000
tons of bread grains; 100000 tonse OF
foodstuffs; 14,500 tons of coffe; $4,000
tons of sugar; 10000 tons of pork and
beef: 10000 tons Of oil seeds; 1920
tons of mineral oils; 25O,OoO tons OF
iron and steel; 10000 tons OF phosph-
ate rock and smaller quantities OF
many other products.