Paris Peace Conf. 763.72/10: Telegram
The Chargé in Denmark ( Osborne ) to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Received January 8—1:10 p.m.]
80. 2822 [3422], January 7th, 7 p.m.28 Legation’s 3381, January 1st, 2 p.m.29 I have definitely ascertained that the one German ship seized in the course of blockade of Baltic was released by the British naval authorities after being permitted to unload her cargo of coal in Copenhagen. I am further informed that ship in question received 30 tons of British bunkers for the return to Germany. It has further been definitely established that British bunkers have been given to Danish vessels sailing to Germany at least until recently; whether this practice is being continued I am unable to ascertain definitely but it seems probable because further reports of continued shipping between [Page 57] Denmark and Germany have been received. One captain of a Danish ship reported that a British destroyer encountered during his return from Germany returned his salute. The British admiral just arrived from England informed the British Legation that he has been instructed to disregard the “blockade”. In the meantime negotiations between Inter-Allied Committee and Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs relative to relaxations of the blockade have been reported. These negotiations are based upon notifications to the Minister for Foreign Affairs that Danish ships sailing to Denmark are liable to seizure. The position of the Inter-Allied Committee is therefore somewhat anomalous and weak in view of the Danish Government’s knowledge that the blockade is not being enforced. How the irregularities mentioned above in regard to the blockade might conduce to the commercial and other advantages of the powers permitting them is evident. Repeated to American Mission, Paris. Copy to London.