File No. 763.72/7709
The Minister in Denmark ( Egan) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10.30 p.m.]
1566. As was to be expected the Italian defeats have made a profound impression in Denmark. In the Danish mind the invincibility of the German arms is once again demonstrated and always having cringed before the mailed monster, they are totally unable to comprehend how we can think of continuing the war. They ask the question and greet the reply with raised hands and a groan for they know that these reverses will only spur America and her allies on to more determined efforts which must include a more relentless enforcement of the embargo against the Central powers. With their nerves in such a state, a whole-hearted response to the demands of our War Trade Board can hardly be expected.
The recent twenty-four hours’ visit of the King of Sweden was uneventful. The only passages in the otherwise stereotyped toasts exchanged at the banquet table declared the determination to continue economic cooperation. Everything possible was done to divest the visit of any appearance other than that of a return for that which the Danish King made to Stockholm in May last. Doctor Egan has been confidentially informed that the sole question which was officially discussed was that of mutual economic help during the present critical times: that the Norwegian King did not come since he had no visit to return. The three Scandinavian countries are apparently becoming alive to the fact that if put to the test they can supply one another with probably a large majority of the commodities they need for their national life. Recent speeches in Norwegian Storthing are indications of this.