859.01/140a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Sweden ( Johnson )

486. For your background information, the Embassy at London and the British Foreign Office are now collaborating in the drafting of a joint declaration on Denmark to be issued on April 9. The declaration, which is primarily designed to give encouragement to the people of Denmark and secondarily to meet the wishes of Danish groups in this country and the United Kingdom, would allude to the Danish people as “allies in all but name” but would not confer on Denmark the status of either a United Nation or a nation associated with the United Nations. It would in no way signify any desire whatsoever that a Free Danish Committee be established abroad. We have informed the Foreign Office through the Embassy that we do not wish to have any mention made in the declaration of the London Danish Council or any other semi-official or private Danish organizations abroad. In order not to give offense to the King of Denmark, the declaration together with a message describing its purpose would be communicated to him secretly for his consideration.

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The Soviet Government is being invited to comment on the proposed declaration and, should it so desire, to participate with us and the British in its issuance.

The foregoing is transmitted for your information only as no action by you would seem necessary at this stage. We would however welcome your suggestions.

Hull