857h.01/14

The Norwegian Minister (Bryn) to the Secretary of State

[Translation2]

Mr. Secretary of State: I have the honor by order of my Government to inform you that by a note dated February 16, last, the plenipotentiary representative of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics at Christiania notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway that from now on the Government of the Union recognizes the sovereignty of Norway over Spitzbergen, including Bear Island, and therefore will not hereafter make any objection with respect to the Spitzbergen Treaty of February 9, 1920, and the mining regulations relative thereto.

In bringing the foregoing to Your Excellency’s knowledge, I take the liberty of adding that the King’s Government would attach value to having Russia allowed to adhere to the said treaty at the same time as the other powers which under the final provisions of the treaty will be asked by the Government of the French Republic to adhere to the treaty when it is duly ratified. The King’s Government would therefore be thankful to know whether the Government of the United States of America would for its part raise any objection to Russia’s being invited, together with the other nonsignatory powers, to adhere to the treaty concerning Spitzbergen.

Adding that a similar approach has been made by my Government to the other signatory governments parties to the Spitzbergen Treaty, I beg you to accept [etc.]

H. Bryn
  1. File translation revised.