859.00/11–1547: Telegram
The Ambassador in Denmark (Marvel) to the Secretary of State
772. Hedtoft1 lunched with me à deux today and conversation of two hours covered variety of subjects.
As to local political situation, his policy will be to concentrate on upbuilding Danish economy. No schemes of nationalization of industry or breaking up large estates will be undertaken. Effort will be made to enlarge social reforms such as old-age pensions, workman’s compensation et cetera, but with an eye to what budget will bear. In short, policy of prewar Social Democrats will be followed.
As to foreign affairs, immediate announcing of pro-western policy iis prevented (1) by present antipathy of Danes towards British and (2) by attitude of Norwegians and Swedes. As to (2) Hedtoft cited cautious and neutral position taken by Swedish and Norwegian Prime and Foreign Ministers at Oslo Conference of Social Democrats last summer. He hopes to persuade them into American viewpoint, but admits difficulties.
In view of Department’s decision not to press Greenland treaty here (Department’s top secret 665, November 72), I asked him his views on Greenland generally and whether matter could drag on for some time. He reiterated that joint defense particularly as long as US in Germany was still best solution and pointed out my points on subject (following suggestions of Department’s top secret 596, September 29) had been supplied all Social Democrat candidates and uttered by them during campaign. He stated, however, since it was obvious I was not pressing matter, it could be arranged for discussions to be slowed down by taking it up piecemeal, namely, discuss weather stations first, then navigational aids, then air bases, et cetera, which could consume one or two years. This delay he thought could be plausibly explained in Parliament. In fact, he thought this approach would be helpful to Norway and its Spitsbergen problem.
My opinion is government will be favorably inclined towards America and approachable on all problems.
- The Kristensen government resigned in October 1947 after a vote of no confidence in the Folketing. Following the election in late October, a new government was formed by Prime Minister Hans Hedtoft.↩
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Not printed. Its operative portion read as follows:
↩“Green treaty is being negotiated by Dept with Dan Emb here and probably discussions will be accelerated after Kauffmann returns from UN meeting late this month.
“Meanwhile you can assist by evaluating attitude new Dan Govt to problem, and views set forth Deptel 596 Sep 29 [ante, p. 676] can be advanced as opportunities arise.” (859B.20/11–447)