859B.7962/93: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Denmark (Perkins)
69. You are requested to arrange an appointment with the Private Secretary to the King as soon as possible and leave with him for King Christian a copy of the following message from the President:
“Great and Good Friend:
The Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United States of America at Copenhagen has transmitted to me by cable the text of Your Majesty’s communication of the 26th of April, 194125a regarding your Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Government of the United States of America, Mr. Henrik Louis Hans de Kauffmann, and the recently concluded agreement relating to the defense of Greenland.
“I am greatly distressed that Your Majesty has found it necessary to characterize as unjustified the measures which the Government of the United States of America deems it essential to take no less in the interests of Your Majesty’s sovereignty over Greenland than for the protection of the Western Hemisphere. I trust that I am not misinformed as to the true feeling of deep friendship and of common ideals which the people of Denmark have for the United States of America, or that they have any doubt that the Government of the United States will not live up to its undertakings with respect to Your Majesty’s sovereignty over Greenland.
“I have noted with regret Your Majesty’s statement to the effect that it is now inexpedient to deal with the Government of the United States of America through Mr. de Kauffmann even though this Government recognizes him as Minister of Denmark in Washington. I am confident, however, that Your Majesty’s Government will find it possible to maintain completely friendly relations with the Government and people of the United States through the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United States in Copenhagen.
“The Secretary of State at my direction is replying directly to the communication which you instructed your Minister of Foreign Affairs to send him enlarging upon the foregoing matter.
“I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Majesty the assurance of esteem and friendship.
Your Good Friend,
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United
States of America.”
Subsequently you should forward a copy of the foregoing communication to the Minister of Foreign Affairs with a formal covering note stating that it is done under instructions from me.