[Extract.]

Mr. Yeaman to Mr. Seward.

No. 79.]

Sir: * * * * * *

Herewith you will find enclosed a copy of the Dagbladet newspaper containing a copy, in French, of the address to the King lately voted by the Rigsdag. I cannot discover that it has much political significance. It shows what everybody knew that the government and people of Denmark are in thorough accord upon the subject of North Schleswig, and can hardly be taken as an indication of impatience with the King and his ministry. The Danish government is behaving with firmness and dignity in the matter, and possibly feels that it is not in a condition to say all it thinks about the affair.

The opinion exists among my colleagues and some Danes of high official position that the question is not in a satisfactory or hopeful attitude; and further, that notwithstanding the settlement of the Luxembourg question, France and Prussia will inevitably drift into a war, and, in that event, the opinion is now stronger than ever that Denmark would, almost of necessity, fall into an alliance with France.

The publication, at Berlin, of the note of the Prussian minister to the Danish government before any answer was made, is considered among the diplomats here as a very strange and unwarrantable proceeding. I sent you a copy of it in my last despatch. Its tone is severely criticised here by my colleagues, and it has been very distasteful to the Danish government.

* * * * * * *

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEORGE H. YEAMAN.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.