859.01/7–1044
The British Embassy to
the Department of State
Memorandum
In view of the Soviet Government’s objections, His Majesty’s
Government feel that it necessary to abandon the idea of a joint
declaration on Denmark.
- 2.
- As however, the King of Denmark has been led by an earlier
secret exchange of communications with him to expect some such
declaration, His Majesty’s Government propose, subject to the
State Department’s concurrence,49 to send him
through the same secret channel a message of which the text will
be found in Annex A.
- 3.
- It will be seen that the final sentence of that message refers
to a further public statement. This Mr. Eden proposes to make in
the form of a reply to an inspired Parliamentary question. Text
of proposed question and the answer are given in Annex B.50
- 4.
- His Majesty’s Government have been instructed in informing the
State Department to ask for their early views on the proposed
message to the King of Denmark. The Danish Minister in London
will not be informed until the message has been sent.
- 5.
- His Majesty’s Government would also be grateful if they could
be informed in the event that the United States Government
decide to issue a statement on Denmark similar to that which is
proposed by Mr. Eden.
Washington, July 10,
1944.
Annex
“A”
On receipt of Your Majesty’s reply welcoming message from His
Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom regarding proposed
declaration on Denmark, His Majesty’s Government in the United
Kingdom and United States Government submitted text to Soviet
Government and invited their participation as proposed.
Soviet Government have however declined to subscribe to it on the
grounds that the Danish Government broke off relations with
Soviet Union in 1941.
As it has proved impossible to reach agreement with the Soviet
Government, His Majesty’s Government and United States
Government have been compelled to abandon suggested tripartite
declaration. His Majesty’s Government, however, still wish to
acknowledge Denmark’s contribution to the cause of the United
Nations.
Your Majesty will already have been informed of the friendly
reference to Denmark contained in the Prime Minister’s speech in
the House of Commons on May 2451 in which Mr. Churchill alluded to close ties
between our two countries. His Majesty’s Government will find an
early opportunity of making a further public statement giving
clear expression to their friendly disposition towards
Denmark.
Annex
“B”
Question
To ask Secretary of State whether his attention has been drawn to
appointment of a Free Danish Representative at Moscow and
whether he can enlighten this House on the international
position of Denmark.
Answer
Yes, Sir, I am glad to note that Free Denmark is now represented
in Soviet Union as well as in this country and in the United
States.
[Page 553]
It is the
policy of His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom to
support all those who help in the fight against the
enemy—Denmark is an enemy-occupied country. Her King regards
himself a prisoner of the Germans and his Government ceased to
function last August. It is not therefore possible at present
for Denmark to become formally belligerent and join the United
Nations. But it is clear that the people of Denmark as a whole
are inspired by the ideals of the United Nations, many Danes are
actively engaged in the ranks of the United Nations for the
liberation of their country, and inside Denmark ever increasing
active resistance is contributing to the common struggle against
the Axis.
Last autumn the representatives of various resistance bodies in
Denmark formed a Committee with the name of Council of Freedom,
which, pending the restoration of liberty and constitutional
government to Denmark, played a conspicuous part in the life of
occupied Denmark as a focus of resistance to the Germans. The
valuable contribution which is being made to defeat Germany by
the work of Danish Council of Freedom and by all who contribute
to resistance in Denmark is, like that of Free Danes abroad,
acknowledged with admiration by His Majesty’s Government.
