Mr. Yeaman to Mr.
Seward.
No. 82.]
Legation of the United States,
Copenhagen, July 17, 1867.
Sir: The following is a translation of the
response made by the King of Denmark to the address voted by the
Rigsdag, a copy of which I enclosed in my No. 79, of 7th instant:
We thank the Rigsdag for the unanimous accord with which in its address
it has adopted the views which we have expressed in our opening speech,
upon our external situation. This accord which reigns among our people
will strengthen our government in the persevering efforts which it
makes, to consolidate, so far as is within its power, our friendly
foreign relations, and to avoid real difficulties without sowing the
seeds of new complications and new conflicts.
The expression of a desire to avoid sowing the seeds of new complications
and difficulties may be considered an exact and definite indication of
the policy that will be insisted upon by the government of Denmark in
reference to the demand by Prussia for special guarantees for the German
population in North Schleswig.
Touching that matter I herewith enclose the French text of an address
signed and published by four hundred and twenty-six Germans domiciled in
North Schleswig.
The document itself is the only information I have on the subject which
it discusses.
[Page 662]
Whether it has
been in any [manner] partially influenced, or whether it is be
considered a fair representation of the feelings and opinions of the
Germans residing within the disputed territory, I have had no
indication.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
In view of the demand of special guarantees for the Germans in
Schleswig, with which Prussia has opened the negotiations relative
to the execution of the peace of Prague, the Germans settled in
Denmark have thought they ought to bear witness to the very kind and
considerate manner with which they have been treated in our
country.
The committee appointed at Odense has drawn up the following
declaration, which, without having been publicly circulated, has in
brief time received 426 signatures:
We have learned with real joy through the public press that the
Prussian government has opened negotiations with the Danish cabinet
in view of the definite settlement of the questiontion of North
Schleswig, and on this occasion we cannot but express the hope that
the two governments may succeed in showing it in such manner that
the result may be lasting relations of friendship between Germany
and Denmark, which must be regarded as particularly desirable on
account of the numerous relations which exist between the two
countries.
But we have at the same time learned that the Prussian government has
judged necessary to lay down certain conditions for the eventual
reunion of North Schleswig with Denmark, and among others, to
require special guarantees for the Germans settled in the districts
which Shall be retroceded. This
demand was well constituted to fill us with astonishment, but we
find it yet more extraordinary that it has been supported by all the
German press—the only exception is perhaps the Gazette of
Cologne—and that it is considered as natural and well founded under
existing circumstances. In presence of this manner of seeing it, we,
undersigned Germans by birth, but long
settled in Denmark as Danish subjects, regard as a sacred duty as
much toward our new country, to which guarantees of this kind can
only create embarrassment in the future, as to truth, which should
be dear to all of us, to declare before Germany, and even before all
Europe, free from the influence of anything but our own feelings;
1st. That as well during the sad season of war, when our former
countrymen inflicted such wounds on Denmak, as at this moment, when
the Danish population of Schleswig suffers a hard oppression of
which thousands of Schleswig refugees bear witness, we never met
with, nor do we now meet in our new country anything but kindness
and cordial hospitality as well on the part of the Danish government
as of our fellow-citizens; 2d. That grounding: ourselves on our
exact knowledge of the real state of things we can assert with
entire certainty that there is no need of special guarantees from
the Danish government for the security of the German population in
the district of North Schleswig which may be eventually
retroceded.
