File No. 763.72112Sa/78
The Acting Secretary of State to the Danish Minister ( Brun)
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your reply note of September 24, on the subject of the negotiations between your Government and the Central Powers looking to the issue of so-called “safe conducts” to Danish merchant ships as a protection to these ships and the cargoes against capture by the Central Powers.
I note the opinion of the Danish Government that the system of “safe conducts” is not a system of control of Danish shipping by the Central Powers, but is rather a measure designated by the Danish Government for the protection of its shipping, and sought for by it for such purpose.
The views of my Government in principle have already been expressed in the note of September 7 last,1 and it remains, therefore, for my Government, if the Government of Denmark sees fit to enter into a so-called “safe-conduct” arrangement with Germany, to observe the practical operations of such arrangement upon the Danish vessels subject thereto. If, in fact, this arrangement does not constitute a device whereby these vessels become subject to enemy control to an objectionable extent, then the principle heretofore enunciated by my Government on this subject would, as appears from the terms thereof, have no application.
Accept [etc.].