859.01/7–1144: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 11—4:20 p.m.]
5450. Warner of the Foreign Office told us today that Mr. Eden’s statement in Parliament on Doessing, referred to in our 5428, July 10, 6 p.m.,52 is to be given tomorrow.
We also were given the text of a telegram received by the Foreign Office from M. Foss at Stockholm for delivery to Count Reventlow, Christmas Moeller and Mr. Doessing. This message contained the text of a communiqué, broadcast from Moscow the afternoon of July 10, concerning the appointment of Doessing as the representative of “Fighting Denmark” in the USSR. Warner said this message has been telegraphed very urgently to Washington for communication to the State Department and to M. Kauffmann. While he expressed regret that the statement was being issued by Moscow in the form given, he felt that no great harm would be done. There has so far [Page 554] been but slight publicity here concerning the Moscow statement and Warner expressed the opinion that the Foreign Minister’s statement in Parliament tomorrow should show that Moscow was not alone in expressing friendship for the Danish people. See Embassy’s 5449, 11th.53
Warner said that Doessing had called on him, in company with Count Reventlow and Christmas Moeller, and that he had made a favorable impression. According to Warner, Doessing is an elderly-appearing man, a member of the Social Democrat party, but not, as Warner expressed it, “a wild-eyed revolutionary”. Doessing apparently is taking the position, after consultation with Reventlow and Christmas Moeller, that he is to represent in Moscow the whole Danish people and not merely one group. Apparently it is not yet decided whether Doessing will go to Washington prior to his proceeding to Moscow, but Warner stated that during his talk with the three men, Christmas Moeller had expressed opposition to Doessing making the Washington trip on the ground that too much time would be consumed there [apparent omission] Warner emphasized that he had taken no part in the discussion as to whether or not Doessing should go to Washington. He stated that he was to see Doessing again at the Danish Legation on Friday, July 14th, so apparently no move will be made before that time.
Mr. Kauffmann’s message to Doessing, transmitted in Department’s 1338, July 5, 10 p.m.,53 to Stockholm and forwarded to this Embassy for delivery, was conveyed to Doessing the morning of July 8. Mr. Doessing has made no effort to get in touch with Embassy in order to send a reply or for any other purpose.