711.599/7
The Chargé in Denmark (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 3.]
Sir: With reference to the Department’s unnumbered instruction, dated September 10, 1923, and to this Legation’s despatch No. 572, of October 11th last,59 in reply thereto, I have the honor to inform the Department that, according to advices received from Mr. K. Monrad-Hansen, Chief of the Legal Department of the Danish Foreign Office, the maritime territory of Denmark in olden times extended [Page 210] to four miles, and that in recent years this limit was still considered justified. However, in certain cases the three mile limit has been adopted. Also, during the late war this calculation formed the basis of Denmark’s territorial jurisdiction as regards the right of neutrality.
For references to Danish authorities, who have expressed opinions on this subject, I have the honor to cite the following:
- 1.
- Matzen, “Den danske Statsforfatningsret” (1910) I, page 36 ff., and
- 2.
- Berlin, “Den danske Statsforfatningsret” (1918) I. page 84 ff.
Copies of the above-mentioned texts are unavailable at present, but an effort will be made to procure these, which same, if obtainable, will be forwarded as soon as possible.
I have also the honor to enclose, herewith attached, as of possible interest to the Department, a translation of a memorandum from Mr. Monrad-Hansen relative to the restrictions and regulations enacted by the Government of Denmark for the control of illicit liquor traffic.60
I have [etc.]