File No. 6993/3
Minister O’Brien to the Secretary of State
Copenhagen , May 30, 1907 .
Sir: Referring to my No. 173 of yesterday, on the subject of the Danish Islands.
I have to-day had an interview with the Foreign Minister in which I asked him whether the tone of his note was due to a wish to say something before I should leave or to the fact I lacked authority to negotiate.
His reply was that had I not been going, he might not at this moment have written, but that the answer would have been the same even if given later.
He added that so far as the Ministry was concerned, they would no doubt favor a cession, but that the Government was lacking in a majority to obtain legislative sanction—that a treaty to that effect would not be ratified. He further said that the King and Queen, and doubtless all of the royal family, would actively oppose the transaction.
He inquired as to whether Germany was taking any active interest in the matter. I said that I had no knowledge beyond a rumor that the Hamburg-American Line had purchased an island in St. Thomas Harbor. He said he doubted whether this was true, although possibly some arrangement had been made—perhaps a lease; that politically, the islands were of no value to Denmark, and that they were also lacking in value to the United State except to strengthen their holdings in that latitude; and that he had no doubt in case our Government should ask it, some privilege short of ownership, but which would answer our purpose quite as well, might be granted.
Not wishing to commit our Government by as much even as a suggestion, I did not pursue this phase of the subject, and therefore am not clear as to just what he had in mind—perhaps he had no definite plan himself.
He added that, while for the moment, nothing could be accomplished, he thought that the time was not far distant when public sentiment would favor a sale.
Meantime, he wished me to understand that in case of need, the Danish Government would be found friendly to the United States in respect to any suitable use of these possessions.
I have given as great latitude to what was said by the Minister as his language will bear.
I have [etc.]