[Untitled]
Copenhagen, June 27, 1868.
My Lord: With reference to your
lordship’s dispatch of the 16th instant, I have the honor to
inclose a copy of a note which I have received from Count Frijs,
in reply to my inquiries on the position of aliens in
Denmark.
It appears from the statements of his excellency that foreigners
resident in this country enjoy the same private rights as
natives. They are, however, entirely excluded from all political
rights whatever, and are debarred from all employments, civil or
military, under the Crown. His excellency’s note passes in
review these disabilities, and seems to contain all the
information which I was ordered by your lordship to procure.
I have, &c.,
The Rt. Hon. Lord Stanley, M.
P.
Copenhague, le
25 juin 1868.
Monsieur le Chevalier: En vous
remettant sous ce pli la circulaire dans laquelle Stanley
vous demande des renseignements sur la position des
étrangers établis en Danemark, j’ai l’honneur de vous
informer que pour ce qui regarde les droits particuliers et
privés il n’existe aucune difference entre la condition des
étrangers domiciliés dans le pays et celle des nationaux.
Pax contre, les droits politiques sont réservés aux seuls
nationaux. Pour entrer au service de l’état comme employé,
pour prendre part aux élections des membres de la
représentation nationale ou des conseils municipaux, enfin,
pour siéger dans ces assemblées la qualité de national est
indispensable. Cette qualité revient de droit à tout
individu né dans le pays, quelle que soit la nationalité des
parents, sauf les cas ou le séjour des parents n’est que
temporaire; autrement il faut qu’une loi spéciale et
nominative accorde la naturalisation à celui qui veut
l’obtenir.
Je crois devoir encore ajouter, pour compléter les
informations dont il s’agit, que d’après les réglements des
chapitres de chanoinesses fondés en Danemark la nationalité
danoise est de même requise chez les personnes qui désirent
être admises dans ces établissements.
Veuillez agréer, &c.,
(Signed)
À Sir Charles
Wyke,
&c., &c., &c.
British Legation,
Copenhagen, July 30,
1868.
My Lord: As a supplement to my
dispatch of the 27th ultimo, on the position of aliens in
Denmark, I have the honor to inclose herewith, at the
request of the naturalization commission, the written
opinion of Mr. Brock, a distinguished Danish lawyer, with
reference:
- 1st.
- To the oath required of aliens entering on certain
professions.
- 2dly.
- Whether the birth in Denmark of a son of an alien
constitutes a Danish subject?
Your lordship will see by the inclosed document that—
- 1st.
- The “Borgherskab “or Burgherbur oath was abrogated
in 1859. The oath now taken by brokers, translators,
&c., is non-political, and limited to the
faithful performance of their office.
- 2d.
- The son of an alien born in Denmark is considered
a Dane to all intents and purposes so long as he
remains in Denmark.
I have, &c.,
The Lord Stanley, M.
P.,
&c., &c.,
&c.
[Page 1386]
Copenhagen, July 26,
1868.
Sir: Your excellency has asked my
opinion on the following questions:
- 1st.
- Is the “Borgerbur” oath still required for
entering on certain professions, and, if so, what
professions:
- 2d.
- Does the fact of birth in Denmark constitute a son
of an alien a Danish subject?
Answer. 1st. The “Borgerbur” oath required by the Danish law
for entering on professions of different kinds has been
abolished by the law of December 29, 1857. The oath still
taken by brokers, translators, and such persons of public
trust, that they will faithfully perform the duties imposing
on their office, has no influence upon their situation as
subjects of the Danish Crown, and is no oath of
allegiance.
2d. The son of an alien, born in Denmark, is regarded a Dane,
if he remains here.
I have, &c.,
GUSTAV BROCK,
Advocate of the
Supreme Court.
Sir Charles L.
Wyke, K. C. B.,
&c., &c., &c.
