File No. 711.5914/125
Minister Egan to the Secretary of State
Copenhagen, August 26, 1916, 1 a.m.
330. Foreign Minister says:
In the opinion of the Government a postponement of the question until after the war would be in contravention of the conditions connected with the conclusion of the treaty. We will insist on a new election. After the election the treaty will again be placed before the Rigsdag. In view of the fact that the treaty was passed by the Folkething with the amendment of a referedum and that the Landsthing feel that to postpone their decision until after the war or to have it reconsidered after a new election and further that three parties are in favor of the sale—Radicals, Socialists and the Left—it is believed that a new Rigsdag will ratify the treaty irrespective of the results of the election.
Election for members to the Folkething can only take place in October and for the Landsthing in November.