Part 2
THE FREE PORTS OF EUROPE
In connection with consideration of the probable effect of the
establishment of free ports in the United States on commerce, ship-
ping, and port development, it was considered desirable to have
full information regarding the free ports of Europe and their rela-
tionship to the commerce and industries of the countries to which
they pertain. Examination of available data with respect to the
free ports of Europe disclosed the absence of information of the
nature required to properly understand the situation. The coopera-
tion of the State Department was therefore sought with a view to
obtaining from consular officers abroad reports covering the ques-
tions upon which available information was considered inadequate.
To secure uniformity of treatment in the reports of consular officers,
a standard outline was furnished.
The reports of consular officers submitted in response to this
request have been of inestimable value to the War Departmént and
the Shipping Board as affording new light on conditions at European
ports and giving a basis of experience on which to predicate opinions
as to the probable effect of the establishment of free ports in the
United States.” These reports, and other data of interest to this
study, are published in the following pages.
THE COPENHAGEN FREE PORT
[From Marion Letcher, American consul general, Copenhagen, Denmark];
History. —The Copenhagen Free Port Co. (Ltd.) was founded July
7, 1894, for the purpose of building, organizing, and operating a free
port in accordance with the terms of the charter granted April 27,
1892, under the enabling act of the Danish Parliament passed March
31, 1891. Construction was commenced immediately after, and the
free port was opened up to traffic on November 9, 1894. The actual
construction work was carried out by the Copenhagen harbor board
under an agreement with the corporation, the expense of the basins
and the necessary quays being borne by the first named and that of
the equipment by the latter.
Description.—The free port occupies the northerly part of the har-
bor of Copenhagen and * * * is particularly well situated with
reference to overseas as well as the bulk of the Baltic shipping. The
southernmost part of the general harbor is used largely by smaller
