No. 252.] No. 14. Mr. Geo. H. Yeaman to Mr. Fish. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Copenhagen, August 4, 1870. (Received August 24, 1870.) SIR: I herewith inclose a translation of a note of yesterday's date, addressed to me by the Danish minister for foreign affairs, advising me of the revocation, by order of 25th of last month, of the royal order of July 4, 1838, permitting foreign ships of war to enter the interior part of the harbor of Copenhagen in time of peace. GEO. H. YEAMAN. Baron Rosenörn-Lehn to Mr. Yeaman. [Translation.] COPENHAGEN, August 3, 1870. MONSIEUR: I have the honor to make known to you that, upon the proposition of the minister of marine, it has pleased my august sovereign the King to abrogate, on the 25th of the past month, the royal resolution of July 4, 1838, which, until the new order, permitted armed steamers, as well as other ships of war, of medium size, (dimension moyenne,) as corvettes and brigs, and belonging to foreign nations, to enter in time of peace into the interior part of the road (harbor) of Copenhagen, by passing the "Three Crowns" port. In adding that the necessary orders to this effect have been given to the competent authorities and to Danish pilots of the sound, I pray you, monsieur, to accept the renewed assurance of my most distinguished consideration. O. D. ROSENÖRN-LEHN. No. 253.] No. 15. Mr. Geo. H. Yeaman to Mr. Fish. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Copenhagen, August 5, 1870. (Received August 24, 1870.) SIR: Touching the subject of the neutrality of Denmark in the present contest between Prussia and France, two events have lately occurred of some interest. This government has forbidden the further expor tation of horses, an order which the government is entirely competent to make, simply as a regulation of commerce; but which is done notoriously in view of the possible exigencies of the present situation. The other fact is the arrival at this capital, a few days ago, of the Marquis de Cadore, late French minister at Munich, which capital he quitted when Bavaria so promptly espoused the cause of Germany, and who, it is generally stated and credited, comes here as an envoy extraordinary on special mission to this government. Of course, such a visit at this juncture excites very great interest and curiosity in political and diplomatic circles. But very little, indeed nothing, has as yet transpired as to the object of his visit. There can be no reasonable doubt that he left Paris for an important purpose, and, probably, with definite instructions. But from all that can be learned here he seems to have said and done so little as to give rise to the suggestion that, upon arriving here, he found the programme altered or modified. The Danish declaration of neutrality could scarcely have been officially, perhaps not publicly, known at Paris when he left; he traveled all the way from Cherbourg by sea, and by the time he arrived here, the publication by Count Bismarck of the diplomatic proposals of France so seriously affecting Belgium, and even the "Duchy" question pending between Denmark and Prussia, may have suggested to the cabinet of Paris that an earnest and successful effort by France to drag Denmark into the war might cost too much in the form of other and adverse complications. It might draw both England and Belgium into the war, and give still greater cause of dissatisfaction to Russia. Of course, as an explanation of the Marquis Cadore's apparent inactivity, this is all speculation; but it has a certain air of plausibility about it. While I deem it quite certain that he came here for a definite and important purpose, I have reason to doubt whether he is formally and of ficially accredited to this government, and I know that up to yesterday evening he was not so regarded by it, and had not established official relations with it. The subject has become an interesting and important puzzle to the diplomatic corps, and the more so as most of my colleagues are actively pressing upon this government the wishes of their own governments that Denmark should remain neutral. There is somewhat less confidence felt that this attitude will be preserved than there was at the date of my last advices upon that subject. GEO. H. YEAMAN. No. 254.] No. 16. Mr. Geo. H. Yeaman to Mr. Fish. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Copenhagen, August 9, 1870. (Received August 30, 1870.) SIR: Referring to my dispatch No. 253, it appears that the Marquis de Cadore has not yet been formally and officially presented to the King or to the Danish government, though he has had several interviews. And if he has either accomplished or proposed anything definite there is no means of knowing it, while there is much evidence that he has not. The opinion is receiving confirmation here that this is only to be explained by the considerations suggested in my last dispatch, and by the additional fact that the early and brilliant victories counted upon as an aid to French diplomacy have not occurred. Public opinion here is entirely adverse and hostile to Prussia. It is as belligerent as it can be without actually pushing armies and marines into the contest. In Danish political circles the obvious criticism is made upon the government's declaration of its neutrality, that neutrality seems rather the incident than the object of the document; a criticism invited by its form, though probably not sustained by the fact; for the government seems to be really in earnest, and recent events in the field may dampen public ardor, or at least check its expression. The leading journals, in their discussions of the subject, have taken the position, not very assuring to the cabinet of Berlin, if technically true that, neutrality is at most only a state of peace-that is, not actual war; that it depends on circumstances, and, like peace, may be abandoned when circumstances, interest, policy, or duty indicate war as the better course. For the immediate present there seems no danger that the government will abandon its policy of neutrality and become a party to the GEO. H. YEAMAN. war. No. 255.] No. 17. Mr. Geo. H. Yeaman to Mr. Fish. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Copenhagen, August 13, 1870. (Received August 30, 1870.) SIR: The Marquis de Cadore left here yesterday, and if he accomplished anything while here, it is wholly unknown, and it is believed that he did not. There can now be no further question about the neutrality of Denmark until the tide of war turns as decidedly in favor of France as it has so far been in favor of Prussia. GEO. H. YEAMAN. FRANCE. THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE TO THE UNITED STATES LEGATION IN PARIS. No. 18. Mr. Fish to Mr. Hoffman. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Protection of North Germans in French territory by American representative can only be given at request of North Germany, and with assent of France. Examine request of Mr. Moustier of July 19, '67, to United States to protect French in Mexico. FISH. No. 19. Mr. Fish to Mr. E. B. Washburne. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Government and people of United States depend upon German steamers between Bremen and Hamburg and New York for postal communications with Europe, under arrangements with the United States Post Office. Inquire whether, in the event of war with North Germany, these steamers will be exempt from capture. Report by cable. FISH. No. 20. Mr. Fish to Mr. E. B. Washburne. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 19, 1870. North German government asks United States to exert good offices through their legation at Paris during war, for protection of North Germans in France. President directs you to notify Duke de Gramont of this request, and say that if the French government consent thereto, the United States will extend to North Germans same care which they extended to subjects of the Emperor in Mexico, on Mr. Moustier's request of July 19, '67. No. 21. Mr. Davis to Mr. E. B. Washburne. FISH. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Take subjects of Saxony, Hesse, and Coburg under protection, France consenting. Prussian credit opened for removal of Germans. retary, who is absent; shall communicate further. Have notified Sec DAVIS, Acting Secretary. No. 23. Mr. Davis to Mr. E. B. Washburne. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Your reply to Gramont's notice of expulsion of Germans is fully approved. You were notified yesterday that Prussia grants credit. Do what you can consistently with public law and our position as a neutral, who has assumed the protection of German residents in France, to mitigate the severity of the order for their expulsion. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatches, numbered 232 to 242, both inclusive. Your action in regard to the protection of subjects of Saxony and of those of the Grand Duke of Hesse, in France, as indicated in your Nos. 234 and 235, is fully approved. No. 25. J. C. B. DAVIS, Acting Secretary. Mr. Davis to Mr. E. B Washburne. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 17, 1870. Instead of "expulsion" in first sentence of yesterday's dispatch, substitute "departure." Washington, August 30, 1870. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of yesterday, which, although not entirely intelligible, has been translated thus: "Am making every preparation for siege of Paris. Military order for expulsion of all Germans without exception. All others who cannot go away invited to leave, and suggested to ask German army to respect American property in Paris in case of need." Instructions will be forwarded by this day's post to Mr. Bancroft, to ask that, in the event of the occupation of Paris by the German forces, American property there may be respected. J. C. B. DAVIS, |