File No. 763.72111N39/2
The Chargé d’Affaires in Denmark (Magruder) to the Secretary of State
Copenhagen, August 3, 1914.
[Received August 19, 1914.]
No. 797]
Sir: With reference to my despatch No. 796 of August 1, 1914,1 dealing with the European crisis, I now have the honor to report [Page 68] that, at the meeting of Parliament referred to in the aforesaid despatch, the following laws were enacted:
- I.
- Amendment to the Criminal Code of 1866, providing that all acts tending to aid or abet military investigation of other countries in Denmark shall be punished by fine, imprisonment or imprisonment at hard labor for a period not exceeding two years, unless existing laws impose more severe punishment therefor.
- II.
- Law providing that all violations of Denmark’s neutrality shall be punishable offenses.
- III.
- Law authorizing the Minister of Finance to issue Government notes up to the amount of kr. 25,000,000 and further providing that such notes shall be repaid one year after date of issue together with interest at 5 per cent.
- IV.
- Law authorizing the Minister of Finance to transfer to the treasury the state reserve funds and further authorizing the Government to revoke this law by royal decree as soon as it shall appear that the necessity for its existence has ceased.
- V.
- Law authorizing the National Bank of Copenhagen to suspend the redemption of notes in gold until October 1, 1914.
- VI.
- Law authorizing the Minister of Commerce, if he shall deem such action advisable, to issue a decree permitting banks and savings banks to limit payments on their accounts to the sum of kr. 300 a week, except where such payments are in the form of transfers from one account to another or in the form of checks payable to the public treasury. (A decree to this effect was issued on August 2.)
- VII.
- Law authorizing the Minister of Defense to prohibit vessels from entering or leaving the harbor of Copenhagen without a pilot.
The foregoing laws were approved by His Majesty the King yesterday, August 2.
The situation, as far as Denmark is concerned, continues to be viewed with great anxiety. The Government has reluctantly ordered a partial mobilization which has recalled 20,000 reservists to the colors, bringing the total number of men under arms in Denmark up to 35,000.
From a reliable source, I am confidentially informed that the British Government has secretly advised the Danish Government to remain as quiet as possible, assuring it that, should Germany take any offensive steps against Denmark, a British fleet will be in Danish waters within sixteen hours.
I have [etc.]