File No. 711.5914/77
Minister Egan to the Secretary of State
Copenhagen, August 5, 1916, noon.
286. Referring to Legation’s number 284, August 3, 4 p.m. Secret meeting of Ministers and representatives of all parties in the Rigsdag took place yesterday. Minister for Foreign Affairs spoke for three-quarters of an hour explaining conditions of proposed sale. An official communication of this meeting appeared in the 9 o’clock edition of Berlingske Tidende last night. Other papers print communication this morning. Very conservative Berlingske Tidende protests against sale and delivery’s taking place during the war. Moderate National Tidende and Independent Kjobenhaven express gratification Minister for Foreign Affairs for having denied that negotiations were going on. Social Democraten unreservedly in favor of sale. From conversations with leading conservative party I gather that the main opposition will be made from that point of view. As far as I can see there will be little doubt that the treaty will be ratified by the Rigsdag.