Office of the Historian

File No. 711.5914/117

Minister Egan to the Secretary of State

[Telegrams]
American Legation,
Copenhagen, August 24, 1916, 5 p.m.

323. With reference to your 153 August 22, 5 p.m. Foreign Minister informs me that it is not the intention of his Government that the United States shall assume the responsibility for the church funds or the salaries of clergymen etc.; the clause in the treaty is intended only to safe-guard them. The United States Government is not expected to act as trustee for any ecclesiastical funds. Official documents will follow. There is no objection to an exchange of notes.

Egan

[Untitled]

American Legation,
Copenhagen, August 24, 1916, 11 a.m.

325. Your 153, August 22, 5 p.m. Foreign Minister informs me in writing as follows:

The Danish Government has not understood the clause in question as imposing upon the Government of the United States any engagement to assist in the [Page 667] maintenance of the churches and church property by appropriations for the maintenance, repairs and salaries of clergymen or to act as trustee for the religious associations or corporations concerned.—Erik Scavenius.

Egan