File No. 659.119/264
The Chargé in Denmark ( Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10.30 p.m.]
2211. The Minister for Foreign Affairs informs me that the Germans have blamed Denmark for not withholding a greater portion of their tonnage from overseas trade, pointing to Holland’s example in contrast, saying that the Dutch still hold a good portion of their ships in their ports whereas practically all of Denmark’s tonnage is engaged in voluntary service for Germany’s enemies.
The latter will undoubtedly continue to apply pressure to spur the Danes on to recover from the Allied service under pretext of [omission] as much tonnage as possible. Once in Danish harbors none would be permitted to leave without guarantee of return and then presumably only the bare minimum necessary to meet actual needs, as much as possible being held back to become available for Germany immediately on the conclusion of peace on terms probably similar to those reported imposed on Netherlands’ shipping.
I hear that the German Government insist upon the recovery of at least 400,000 tons for Denmark’s exclusive use and that a commission consisting of Messrs. A. O. Andersen, Reinhard, and [Page 1328] Hohne [will] proceed to Washington by the Hellig Olav, sailing on May 9 under instructions to declare that, unless this amount is allowed them, Danish vessels will be laid up wherever they may happen to be, a procedure which will evidently force the issue. In view of all the circumstances, therefore, I venture to suggest the advisability at the present juncture of determining on the policy to be followed without delay, to secure the ships we need and to send to Denmark, with all despatch, certain commodities which, by reducing unemployment, would tend to counteract whatever undesirable effects the course we may pursue with regard to tonnage may have in Denmark. To the latter end I would strongly recommend that arrangements be made which would insure the arrival in Danish ports of the laden ships not later than six days after the public announcement of our action relative to tonnage and that a proper series of [statements] emanate from this Legation. Such a course would, I am convinced, minimize any artificially stimulated protests on the part of the Danish public.
In reply to my remark that the limits to be fixed for exports to Germany mentioned in his last note seemed very generous, M. Scavenius, while demurring, replied that they could not be changed since Denmark had made agreements with Germany on those lines.