857.01/23: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:45 p.m.]
1201. I was asked to call at the Foreign Office today and was given an oral statement by the Chief of Protocol regarding the functions of foreign representatives in Norwegian occupied territory under the provisions of the edict of April 24 relating to the civil and military administration of that territory (see my 1159, April 27, 8 p.m. and despatch No. 2440 of April 2926).
According to this statement, all political matters and questions of general importance relating to German-occupied Norwegian territory should be taken up by this Embassy with the German Foreign Office. All matters of local importance such as questions in the nature of consular activities may be discussed by the foreign legations in Oslo with the representative of the Foreign Office attached to the Reich Commissar established in Oslo.
I am withholding communication of the foregoing to the Legation at Oslo pending the receipt of information from the Department as to whether it wishes me to add any observations in regard thereto for the guidance of the Legation. The Embassy has lately been experiencing difficulties in communicating with the Legation at Oslo in cipher, and I have not yet obtained a definite statement on this matter from the German authorities.
- Latter not printed.↩