File No. 711.5914/232A
The Secretary of State to the Danish Minister
Washington, March 22, 1917.
My dear Mr. Minister: The Congress of the United States having provided the $25,000,000 which, under Article 5 of the Convention of August 4, 1916, the Government of the United States, in full consideration of the cession of the Danish West Indian Islands to the United States, agreed to pay in the City of Washington, to the diplomatic representative or other agent of His Majesty, the King of Denmark, duly authorized to receive the money, within ninety days from the date of the exchange of the ratifications of the convention, I have the honor to inquire to whom it is the desire of the Danish Government the money should be paid.
As the convention provides that the $25,000,000 shall be paid in gold coin of the United States, I beg also to inquire whether a Treasury warrant, payable in gold coin will be acceptable to the Government of Denmark. It may be, in view of the manifest risks involved that the Government of Denmark would not care to undertake to make gold shipments at the present time, and I would, therefore, be further obliged if you will kindly advise me whether it is the [Page 703] purpose to ship the gold out of this country or whether a credit of the amount would be all that the Government of Denmark would require for the time being.
Requesting that I may receive your replies to these inquiries at your earliest convenience,
I am [etc.]