763.72119/2951

The Danish Minister ( Brun ) to the Acting Secretary of State

Sir: I am directed by the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs to inform you that, in view of the negotiations which are to take place in Paris for the purpose of deciding the conditions and aims of the [Page 237] coming Peace Conference, the Danish Minister at Paris has been instructed to deliver a note to the French Government proposing that an opportunity should be given Denmark to participate in the discussion of the question regarding the establishment of a League of Nations and of all other questions which have a direct importance for the interests of our country.

I beg to enclose for your information a copy of the text of the note which the Danish Minister at Paris has accordingly delivered to the French Government.

I have [etc.]

C. Brun
[Enclosure—Translation]1

Copy of a Note Addressed by the Danish Minister at Paris to the French Government

In the course of the World War it was proclaimed in the most diverse quarters that one of the principal objects to be sought at the conclusion of peace should be the founding of a League of Nations to assure the establishment of an international rule of law and so lay the bases of a lasting peace. It is obvious that this question is of vital importance not only for the states which have taken part in the war, but for all civilized states. On one hand, the founding of a League of Nations would tend to influence the legal relations of all states with each other; and on the other hand, it would certainly have important consequences in the constitutional, economic, and military organization of each country. For this reason it is fundamentally important for all countries that their Governments be admitted to participate, from the beginning, in the deliberations on these questions. The Royal Government which, like the whole Danish people, is animated by the keenest desire to see the problem of a League of Nations brought to a satisfactory solution, considers that it may be proper for it to take steps with a view to obtaining an opportunity to take part in the discussion of this problem as well as of every other question directly affecting the interests of Denmark. In view of the fact that, as is generally known, discussions on the procedures of the future Congress for the conclusion of peace will be opened shortly at Paris, the Royal Government has believed that it ought to apply in the matter to the Government of the French Republic with the request that the application be communicated to the other interested Governments.

  1. File translation revised.