In view of this resolution of the Senate I have the honor to state that it is
 understood and accepted by the Government of the United States and the
 Government of Denmark that the provisions of this Convention referring to the property
 and funds belonging to the Danish National Church in the Danish West Indian Islands
 shall not be taken and construed by the High Contracting Parties as imposing any trust
 upon the United States with respect to any funds belonging to the Danish National
 Church in the Danish West Indian Islands, or in which the said church may have an
 interest nor as imposing upon the United States any duty or responsibility with respect
 to the management of any property belonging to said church, beyond protecting said
 church in the possession and use of church property as stated in said Convention, in
 the same manner and to the same extent only as other churches shall be protected in
 the possession and use of their several properties.

 I trust that your government will in a formal reply to this communication accept
 this understanding as to the meaning and construction of the provisions of said
 Convention in accordance with the foregoing resolution of the Senate.

 Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

 ROBERT LANSING
 Mr. CONSTANTIN BRUN,
 Minister of Denmark.

 [The Danish Minister to the Secretary of State.]

 THE DANISH LEGATION
 WASHINGTON, D.C.
 January 3rd, 1917.
 SIR:

 In reply to your communication of this day concerning the relation of the United
States to the rights of the Established Church in the Danish West Indies and to the
provisions referring to this point in the convention between the United States and
Denmark ceding to the States the Danish Westindian Islands, I have the honor to state
that it is understood and accepted by the government of Denmark and the Government
of the United States that the provisions of this convention referring to the property and
funds belonging to the Danish National Church in the Danish Westindian Islands shall
not be taken and construed by the high contracting parties as imposing any trust upon
the United States with respect to any fund belonging to the Danish National Church in
the Danish Westindian Islands or in which the said Church may have an interest nor
as imposing upon ihe United States any duty or responsibility with respect to the
management of any property belonging to said church beyond protecting said church
in the possession and use of church property as stated in said convention in the same
manner and to the same extent only as other churches shall be protected in the
possession and use of their several properties.