Reykjavik Consulate Files, Lot 55F44: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul at Reykjavik ( Kuniholm )43
It is my understanding that you have been informed by the British Minister concerning his discussions with the Prime Minister of Iceland [Page 789] in which he set forth the suggestion of his Government that the Icelandic Government, through the Prime Minister, should ask the United States to take measures to aid in defending the security of Iceland by replacing gradually with American forces the present British occupying forces.
Please seek a personal interview with the Prime Minister and in a completely confidential conversation with him make clear the following points:
- 1.
- The Government of the United States has announced as its policy that it will defend the Western Hemisphere against any attempted aggression by Germany. Since the United States believes that there is imminent danger of such attempted aggression, it is necessary that the independence and integrity of Iceland be maintained so that the historic liberty and independence of the people of Iceland may be safely preserved, and by reason of the fact that, if Iceland were to be occupied by Germany, this occupation would immediately place in jeopardy the safety of the entire Western Hemisphere.
- 2.
- The peril of German aggressive action against the Western Hemisphere is at present far more immediate than it was in the fall of 1940, when this Government understood that the Icelandic Government had considered requesting the United States to aid in preserving the independence of Iceland.
- 3.
- If the Prime Minister of Iceland, on behalf of his Government, should now ask the United States to aid in preserving Icelandic liberty, the President of the United States would at once reply in the affirmative. His reply, which he would send as soon as such a request might be received from the Prime Minister of Iceland, would contain a public statement that aid was being rendered Iceland by this country to guard against German aggression against Iceland and to guarantee likewise the safety of the Western Hemisphere; that this move was undertaken by the United States with full awareness of the sovereignty and independence of Iceland and with the definite understanding that American naval and military forces sent to that country would in no way interfere however slightly with the internal and domestic affairs of the Icelandic people; and lastly, that at once upon the termination of the present international emergency, all these American naval and military forces would immediately be withdrawn, leaving the Government and people of Iceland in full and sovereign control of their own territory.
- 4.
- You will state that you have been directed to furnish these assurances to the Prime Minister as additional to the communications already handed to him by the British Minister. You will say that, in the President’s judgment, the position is exceedingly serious and that action of the character proposed is essential for the purpose of maintaining the independence and liberty of Iceland.
You are directed to advise the British Minister of the instructions you have received and to inform the Department by telegraph, in Navy Department code, immediately concerning any reply which may be made to you by the Prime Minister of Iceland.
- Original of this document not found in Department files; this is a paraphrase printed from the Reykjavik Consulate files.↩