859B.7962/140: Telegram
The Chargé in Denmark (Perkins) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:03 p.m.]
176. The following note in reply to the Department’s telegram No. 70, May 6, 11 a.m., was handed to me in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 4 p.m. today by Under Secretary Mohr:
“Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Copenhagen, May 17, 1941. Mr. Cordell Hull, Secretary of State of the United States of America. Mr. Minister: I acknowledge receipt of your communication of the 6th of May which the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United States of America in this city handed over to me, simultaneously with his delivering to the private secretary of His Majesty the King, President Roosevelt’s message to His Majesty, dated the 5th of May.
The Royal Danish Government has noted with satisfaction the renewed expressions on the part of the Government of the United States of sympathy towards Denmark and continued respect for fundamental Danish interests, especially for Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland but it is unable to admit the necessity or legality of the measures taken by the American Government as regards Greenland. Especially the Danish Government is still unable to understand the motives which brought the Government of the United States to wish to see these measures anchored in an agreement with Mr. Kauffmann as to which I have previously expressed the views of the Danish Government.
As regards the opinion of the Danish people on this matter, the Danish Government who comprises representatives of all the great political factions, thus having close connections with all parts of the population, feels convinced that the public opinion on this case is covered by the comments which have appeared in the Danish press that unanimously regretted the measures taken by the Government of the United States with respect to the occupation of Greenland and condemned Mr. Kauffmann’s cooperation herein.
The Danish Government should like to maintain friendly relations with the Government of the United States through the American Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at Copenhagen, but from practical reasons as well as from reasons of principle this connection will, of course, be quite unsatisfactory for the safeguarding of Danish interests in the United States. To this a diplomatic organ at Washington is required. I have with satisfaction noted that the Government of the United States has acceded to the views taken by the Danish Government in as far as it realizes that Mr. Kauffmann cannot be taken into consideration in that connection. If the Government of the United States should not see its way to accept my suggestion that Mr. Blechingberg be recognized as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, and should not either wish to enter upon the idea of sending another career officer to the States in this capacity—questions to which no stand is taken in your above-mentioned communication—Denmark will be obliged to entrust the government of another neutral state having a diplomatic representative in Washington with the safeguarding of the Danish interests in the United States of America.
[Page 65]I should appreciate to receive a communication from you as to your attitude to my suggestion with regard to Mr. Blechingberg or to another Danish career officer as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim so as to enable me to take the necessary measures.
Please accept, Mr. Minister, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Signed Erik Scavenius.”