Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The British Commonwealth and Europe, Volume III

859.01/201

The Department of State to the British Embassy

Aide-Mémoire

The Department of States refers to the Embassy’s aide-mémoire no. 261, May 9, 1944,¹⁰ in regard to the attitude which the British Government proposes to adopt in respect to the establishment of the Republic of Iceland.

As regards the first factor mentioned in the aide-mémoire, the Department of State concurs in the view of the British Government that no legal difficulty exists in recognizing the Icelandic Republic. Iceland has, in fact, been an independent state since 1918 and, further, has endeavored, so far as circumstances have permitted, to carry out the severance of its relations with King Christian X in accordance with the provisions of the Act of Union¹¹ between Iceland and Denmark.

As regards the attitude previously adopted by this Government, it will be recalled that in 1942 representations, similar to those made by the British Minister at Reykjavik in 1941, were made to the Icelandic Prime Minister with a view to dissuading Iceland from abrogating the Act of Union at that time.¹² In making such representations, the Icelandic Prime Minister was informed that this Government recognized that the proposed unilateral abrogation of the Act of Union and change in form of the Icelandic Government were decisions which, in principle, must be taken by the Icelandic people in accordance with their own desires and needs. The Icelandic Minister in Washington was subsequently informed that this Government had no objection to the adoption by the Althing of a resolution declaring that Iceland should become a Republic in 1944.

It will also be recalled that paragraph two of the Agreement between the United States of America and Iceland for the defense of Iceland by United States forces, effective July 1, 1941,¹³ stipulates that “United States further promise to recognize the absolute independence and sovereignty of Iceland and to exercise their best efforts with those powers which will negotiate the peace treaty at the conclusion of the present war in order that such treaty shall likewise recognize the absolute independence and sovereignty of Iceland.”

As regards the general question of expediency, the Department of State concurs in the view of the British Government that it would be most inadvisable to withhold recognition from the Republic of Iceland. The American Minister will therefore be appointed as the special representative of the President of the United States with personal rank of Ambassador for the ceremonies to be held on June 17, 1944, in connection with the establishment of the Republic of Iceland and will thereafter be accredited as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the President of the Republic to be elected by the Althing on the same date.

The Department of State also concurs in the view that, so far as possible, it would be advisable to avoid giving offense to the susceptibilities of the people of Denmark, in general, and the King of Denmark, in particular. It had therefore hoped that King Christian X, in his capacity of King of Iceland, would, despite the difficulties of his position in Denmark, find it possible to interpose no objection to the proposed action of his Government and people in Iceland. However, the King of Denmark for reasons which are not entirely clear transmitted a message to the Prime Minister of Iceland which has occasioned a certain amount of resentment in Iceland. The Department of State regrets that King Christian X felt impelled to take such action, which, however, in fact may have been taken under German duress, but considers that the previously-determined decision of this Government to recognize the establishment of the Republic of Iceland is in no way affected thereby.

With respect to the general attitude to be taken by the American Minister at Reykjavik and the various agencies of this Government, it is proposed that the Republic of Iceland will be cordially welcomed as the latest addition to the family of nations. In so doing, care will be taken not to give offense to the people and King of Denmark.

The Department of State agrees in the general line proposed by the British Government that the matter of the abrogation of the Act of Union should be treated as a Danish-Icelandic question and the fact that the protection of Iceland by British and, subsequently, American forces has no bearing on the matter. Commentary will, so far as possible, be confined to an explanation of the background with little or no discussion of the legal questions involved and the procedure followed by the Government of Iceland in severing its ties with the Danish Crown. Every effort will be made to avoid any remarks or statements which might suggest that a dispute exists between Iceland and Denmark on this question.

Washington , May 20, 1944.

10. Not printed.
11. Danish Law of November 30, 1918; for text, see British and Foreign State Papers, vol. cxi, p. 703.
12. For text of note delivered to the Icelandic Prime Minister August 20, 1942, see telegram 268, August 18, 1942, 9 p.m. to Reykjavik, Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. iii, p. 17.
13. For text, see Department of State Executive Agreement Series No. 232, or 55 Stat. (pt. 2) 1547; for correspondence regarding negotiation of this agreement, see Foreign Relations, 1941, vol. ii, pp. 776 ff.