Minister O’Brien to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Copenhagen, January 31,
1906.
No. 68.]
Sir: About 5 o’clock on the 29th instant I sent
you the following message:
King Christian died this afternoon at 3.40. Had worked until 1
feeling well. At luncheon felt weak and shortly afterwards died
without pain. Dowager Empress of Russia and crown prince of
Denmark present when he died.
The following morning I received from you this reply:
Convey through appropriate channel the sincere condolences of the
President and of your country upon the death of His Majesty King
Christian.
I am now able to give a little more accurately the exact conditions
preceding the King’s death.
He had been unusually well, and during the morning had transacted much
business and gave audience to about 50 people.
He went to his luncheon soon after 1 in high spirits. Besides the
officers of the court, his daughter, the Empress Dowager of Russia, and
brother, Prince Hans, and perhaps some others were present. During
luncheon he drank part of a glass of port wine. He got up from the table
feeling a little distress in his throat and went to his room. The ill
feeling continued, and he undressed, without aid, and went to bed.
The Dowager Empress was in the adjoining room with an open door between.
Thinking she heard heavy breathing, she stepped into the King’s chamber
and found him already dead. No one was present at the end except as
above, but it was very apparent that his death was quite painless.
Doctors were summoned, but of course were of no assistance. The news
spread rapidly in the city and provoked a good deal of interest and
excitement. Great numbers of people thronged the streets and surrounded
the palace, but everything was most orderly and quiet.
At 12 o’clock yesterday, the 30th instant, a great crowd assembled in the
Amalienborg Square, the number being variously estimated at from 10,000
to 20,000, as it had been announced that at that time the succession
would be proclaimed. The announcement was made [Page 525] from the balcony of Amalienborg Palace
by the prime minister, and the late crown prince made a short speech
which was received with a good deal of enthusiasm.
I will send under separate cover a translation of the speech of the new
King, and also of the open letter, or proclamation.
I beg to inclose herewith a copy of a letter from the minister of foreign
affairs to me announcing the King’s death, and also a copy of my reply
of the 30th instant, making known your telegram and my own comments in
connection therewith.
The arrangements for the funeral have not yet been made public and are
probably not completed. It is given out, however, that the following
will be present:
The King and Queen of England, Emperor of Germany, King George of Greece,
the King and Queen of Norway, Grand Duke Michael of Russia, Duke and
Duchess of Cumberland, and Duchess of Mechlenberg-Schwerin.
One or more of the ministers have already been designated by their
Government as special representatives to attend the funeral.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Count Raben to
Mr. O’Brien.
[Translation.]
Copenhagen, January 29,
1906.
Mr. Minister: I am fulfilling the most
painful duty which could have fallen to my lot, in transmitting to
you the official news that God, in His impenetrable designs, has
called to Himself his Majesty the King Christian IX. The King heaved
the last sigh this afternoon at Amalienborg Palace at 3.20 o’clock,
suddenly, and without suffering, in his eighty-eighth year and after
a reign of more than forty-two years.
This death has been a cruel blow to the dearest affections of the
royal family and plunges the whole country in the most profound and
legitimate mourning. You have had the occasion a sufficient number
of times, Mr. Minister, to note the invariable devotion which the
august deceased bestowed on his people, and the sincere love and
respect which they, on their side, vowed to him. You have been able
to appreciate the high qualities which distinguished King Christian,
and you will join me, I know, in our profound suffering.
King Frederick VIII has mounted the throne. His Majesty has been
pleased to instruct me, sir, to make known to you his accession and
his sincere desire to maintain and tighten the good relations which
exist between Denmark and the United States of America.
Be pleased to accept, etc.,
Mr. O’Brien,
Minister of the United States of America.
[Inclosure 2.]
Minister O’Brien to Count Raben.
American Legation,
Copenhagen, January 30,
1906.
Excellency: I have your esteemed favor of
yesterday conveying the mournful intelligence of the sudden death of
your nation’s King, Christian IX.
The information was at once conveyed to my Government, and I have by
the way of response the following telegram from Mr. Elihu Root,
Secretary of State:
“Convey through appropriate channel the sincere condolences of the
President and of your country upon the death of His Majesty King
Christian.”
[Page 526]
No additional words of mine will have greater force than will be
found in the language of the telegram itself, and I beg it will be
given its strongest meaning.
The unexpected death of the King has come as a distinct shock, not
only to the people of Denmark, but to the civilized world.
His Majesty, both personally and officially, was very dear to his
people, while his pure life, his sweet nature, his unfaltering
patriotism and honesty of purpose were well known to the people of
my country, where he was both esteemed and loved.
He was a remarkable man and had a remarkable reign. It will well
repay all those in whose charge are the destinies of the nations to
consider at this time in what large measure human society has been
blessed and elevated by his influence, and by what lofty ideals his
life was governed and his actions determined. His service to the
world has been beyond measure, while to his own people his life has
been a benediction. My own admiration for the late King was very
great, and by his death a distinct personal loss has been
suffered.
Through the operation of the law and happily through the good will of
the people of Denmark, the late crown prince has, by the death of
his late Majesty become the King—Frederick VIII.
I read with the greatest pleasure your assurance of the desire of His
Majesty to maintain with my Government the good relations which have
heretofore existed between the two countries.
At a suitable opportunity I beg you will make known to His Majesty my
thanks for this assurance, and that you will express to him my
confidence that his hope in this direction will be fulfilled.
Be pleased to accept, etc.,
