Christian IX. died January 29, 1906. He was succeeded by his son Frederick VIII. The latter proved to be a popular sovereign, but his reign was short-lived, as he died suddenly on May 14, 1912, while on a visit to Hamburg. He was succeeded by his son, Christian X. Im portant amendments were made to the constitution in 1914 and 1915. Among these provisions was the abolition of the property classification which hitherto prevented the poorer classes from voting for the Landsthing. Another amend ment was passed for universal suffrage, including suffrage for women.
The outbreak of the World War raised vital problems in Denmark. On ac count of the bitter feeling toward Prus sia as the result of the seizure of Schles wig-Holstein, there was an overwhelm ing pro-Ally sentiment in the kingdom. The government, however, remained neutral throughout the war. Denmark suffered severely from the blockade es tablished against Germany and in the loss of ships in the submarine warfare. This was to a large extent, however, off set by the ro•osperity of the agricultural classes as a result of the demand for their products both in Germany and in the Allied countries. Germany secured enormous quantities of foodstuffs both by the regular method of trade and through smuggling across the border. By 1917, however, economic conditions in Denmark had become exceedingly difficult and it was found necessary to ration both bread and coal. The import of coal had stopped with the outbreak of the war to such an extent that it be came necessary to curtail its consump tion. Trade in wheat, butter, sugar, and other foodstuffs was strictly regulated. With the end of the war, conditions quickly improved. At the meeting of the Peace Conference in Paris, Denmark made known her desire to have restored to her the strictly Danish parts of Schles wig-Holstein, and demanded that those parts in which the population was parti ally Danish and partially German should be allowed to decide for themselves their future political status. These articles
were acceded to and provision was made by the Treaty that within 10 days after it had been put into operation the people in the zones of Schleswig would be al lowed to decide for Danish or German nationality by a popular vote. The coun try was divided into three zones, in the first of which, the farthest removed from Germany, the people would vote for or against reunion of Denmark en bloc; in the second zone the voting was to be done by municipalities, not later than 5 weeks after the vote in the first zone; in the third zone no vote was to be taken.
The plebiscite was held in February, 1920. The northern zone, or North Schleswig, voted by a large majority to join with Denmark; the southern zone, or southern Schleswig, voted to adhere to Prussia. North Schleswig, therefore, was incorporated into the kingdom of Denmark, on July 9, 1920. The occa sion was celebrated all over the country. The king and queen made a progress into North Schleswig and were received with jubilation by the people. On Sept 8, 1920, an amendment to the Danish constitution, incorporating North Schles wig into Denmark was ratified in a general referendum, 613,471 voting "yes," against 19,490 voting "no." The constitution required that an amend ment must be ratified by at least 45% of the total number of persons entitled to vote.
The islands comprising the Danish West Indies were sold to the United States for $25,000,000. A treaty pro viding for the transfer was ratified by Denmark on Dec. 22, 1916, and by the United States on Jan. 16, 1917. See VIRGIN ISLAND.