Paris Peace Conf. 185.1143/41
The Chargé in Denmark (
Osborne
) to the Acting Secretary
of State
18
No. 2005
Copenhagen
, January
4, 1919.
Sir: Adverting to Mr. Grant-Smith’s despatch
No. 1930 of the 5th ultimo, and to previous correspondence on the
subject of the recovery by Denmark of North Slesvig, I have the honor to
transmit herewith a translation of a resolution passed at Aabenraa,
North Slesvig, on the 30th ultimo, by the leaders of the Electoral
Association of North Slesvig, as reported in the Copenhagen Politiken of the 4th instant.
This resolution is a reiteration of their desire for a solution of the
border question on the principle of the right of self-determination and
a protest against the actions of the German authorities in obstructing
the possibility of an impartial plebiscite, through their interference
with public meetings and through their denial of the right of
petition.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure]
Translation of Resolution of Leading Members of
Electoral Association of North Slesvig
Ritzau’s Bureau reports from Aabenraa, North Slesvig, under date of
January 3rd, that at a meeting held by the leaders of the Electoral
Societies in North Slesvig on December 30, 1918, the following
resolution was passed:
- (1)
- Now that the Entente has been victorious and Germany has
accepted President Wilson’s program as the basis for a world
peace, we consider the separation of our native soil from
Germany and its reunion with Denmark an established fact.
Although we are as yet
[Page 460]
German citizens and as such are fully
entitled to participate in the election to the German
National Assembly, we consider it under these circumstances
improper to exercise any influence upon the internal affairs
of the German people. We therefore encourage all Danes in
South Jutland to abstain from participating in the coming
election to the National Assembly.
- (2)
- While we adhere to the standpoint assumed by the Danish
Rigsdag through its resolution of October 23, 1918, which
was submitted to us by the Danish Foreign Minister, in reply
to our note, we state anew that we desire the border
question solved upon the basis of the right of
self-determination of nationality and by the production of
satisfactory guarantees that the same be exercised
freely.
- (3)
- While the administration and board of supervision of the
Electoral Societies of North Slesvig have thus once more
proposed the solution of the national question of North
Slesvig in accordance with the right of self-determination
of nationality, which is just and fair to both parties and
which harmonizes with the views held by the large majority
of the population of North Slesvig, it makes the following
statement:
- 1.
- We make a sharp protest against the efforts on the
part of the German rulers to place obstacles in the
way of creating, through the medium of a free
exercise of the right of public meeting and the
right of petition, the basis for a free vote.
- 2.
- We emphasize the fact that owing to the
above-mentioned procedure on the part of Germany,
the right of self-determination of nationality has
temporarily been rendered illusory.
- 3.
- We recommend to the Danish Government, when it
protects our interests at the peace conference, that
they draw attention to the fact that under these
circumstances the Danish population in Middle
Slesvig cannot hope to attain their national rights
through the medium of a referendum.
