811.114 Reidun/110
The Minister in Canada (Armour) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 7.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s instruction No. 210 of January 24, 1936,26 enclosing duplicate copies of affidavits made by certain United States Coast Guard officers who witnessed the unloading on the high seas on November 10–13, 1935, of the cargo of alcohol carried by the Norwegian steamship Reidim, together with certain other documents tending to show that a part of this cargo was undoubtedly intended for smuggling into Canada. Under date of November 23, 1935, I had already brought to the attention of the Canadian Government the activities of the Norwegian steamers Anders, Trajan and Reidun, and the Danish steamer Jan, through an informal note, my note being based upon the Department’s telegram No. 138 of November 22, 5 p.m. In the Legation’s note No. 140 of February 4, 1936, the further information contained in the Department’s instruction No. 20827 was also brought to the attention of the Department of External Affairs, and I have now received from this Department a note No. 33, dated April 2, 1936, on this question, a copy of which is enclosed.26
[Page 425]From a perusal of this note the Department will perceive that the information in question was transmitted to the interested departments of the Canadian Government and is proving of great value to the Canadian Preventive Services, and that the Canadian Government desires to express its appreciation of our Government’s action in this matter.
Furthermore, with regard to the suggestion that the Canadian Government should make representations to the Belgian Government supporting those already made by our Government, the note states that “the interested departments of the Canadian Government are of the opinion that it is desirable that the Belgian Government should adopt the course which your Government is urging”, adding that the Canadian Government is prepared to take such action to this end.
Before taking this action, however, the Canadian Government desires such information as it may be possible to give with regard to the action already taken by the American Government through diplomatic channels and would, furthermore, like to be able to request that the British diplomatic representatives in Belgium confer with our own representatives in that country before discussing the matter with the Belgian authorities.
In conclusion, attention is called to the fact that the Reidun has already been seized by the United States Preventive Services under powers conferred by the Anti-Smuggling legislation of 193528 and an opinion is requested as to whether, in view of the seizure, the action suggested should be deferred, pending the decision of the courts in the forfeiture proceedings.
Respectfully yours,