859.01/170: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Bucknell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:07 p.m.]
4179. Reference Department’s 4079, May 23, 3 p.m. Investigation through Public Relations and Civil Affairs Officers of SHAEF indicates they had no knowledge of details of statement on Denmark and that leak did not originate from that source.
[Page 539]Warner of the Foreign Office was both surprised and shocked when informed of the broadcast, particularly in view of the Russian reply which he stated had come in on May 22. This reply, as Department presumably is aware, was to the effect that (1) Denmark had broken off diplomatic relations with Russia shortly after the German invasion of Russia in 1941 and the Russian Government had no reason to think that the Danish attitude toward it had changed: (2) Therefore the Russian Government did not wish to be associated with a statement which would appear to give special status to the Danish people and nation. Warner was inclined to believe that the leak had come from Danish circles, although he was more concerned with the possible effect on the Russians of the broadcast than the tracing of the origin of the story. He promised to do what he could to trace the leak through Danish and other circles and said he would keep the Embassy informed.
After consulting his superiors, Warner informed us that the British intend to make no comment on the broadcast and if the matter is brought up by the press, which so far has not happened, they will neither confirm nor deny the story. Short telegram is being sent to British Embassy in Moscow regarding the broadcast and instructing the Embassy to inform the Soviets, if the question is raised, that it had been possible to approach the King with regard to the declaration and tracts as had been done, leaving up to the Embassy in Moscow the exact method of giving this information.
Foreign Office is telegraphing British Embassy in Washington to consult with Department on British further proposals with regard to the issuing of a declaration. According to Warner the British propose, if State Department approves, a full consultation with British Embassy in Washington; 1, to approach Russians again and ask if their objections would be met if assurances could be received from Danish King to effect that the breaking off of relations with Moscow in 1941 had been due to force and that it was the desire of Danish Government to renew relations as soon as possible; 2, to inform Russians that for an urgent special purpose (Warner says Department is aware of what this purpose is) the British Government desire strongly to issue a declaration at this time.
Warner believes it a good sign that there have been no inquiries from the press up to this time regarding the broadcast and he hopes the subject will not attract much attention.
The broadcast was made by a former member of the London office of OWI35 who refused to give his source.
- Office of War Information.↩