812.00/25363

The Minister in Norway (Swenson) to the Secretary of State

No. 27

Sir: I have the honor to report that the Norwegian Government has formally recognized Obregon as President of the United States of Mexico, under date of January 14, 1922.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, with whom I have discussed the matter of recognition a number of times, has informed me that action has been postponed from time to time out of deference to the United States. The Mexican Chargé d’Affaires at Christiania has, since March 1921, made repeated verbal appeals to the foreign office for recognition of President Obregon. He did not, however, until recently, present the letter of notification, having been advised that no reply would be made thereto. In the meantime Norwegian business interests strongly urged recognition, and the Norwegian Chargé d’Affaires in Mexico as well as Mr. Lie, the former Norwegian Minister in Mexico City recommended it. On July 16, 1921 the Norwegian Legation at Stockholm reported that the Swedish foreign office had decided to recognize President Obregon, and on October 17th last, the Danish Minister at Christiania notified the Norwegian foreign office that his government had resumed regular relations with Mexico. Holland had taken similar action. In view of all these circumstances the Norwegian Government felt that it would not be justified in continuing its refusal to deal with Obregon, notwithstanding the attitude of the United States and the fact that certain Spanish subjects had experienced difficulties under the new regime. It was felt that the interests of Norwegian subjects were of a somewhat different nature from those of Americans and Spaniards.

On November 8th last the Mexican Chargé d’Affaires presented to the Norwegian Minister for Foreign Affairs President Obregon’s letter of notification, dated December 1, 1920, together with a note, dated December 21 [22], 1921, translation of which you will find herewith enclosed.31 The Norwegian Minister for Foreign Affairs thereupon wrote the Mexican Chargé d’Affaires, under date of January 14, 1922, transmitting His Majesty the King’s reply to President Obregon’s letter of notification, thus recognizing him as President of the United States of Mexico.

I have [etc.]

Laurits S. Swenson
  1. Not printed.