859A.01/45

The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Lothian)

Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of May 10, 1940 stating that in order to preclude the possibility of a German seizure of Iceland, the British Government landed a force in Iceland on the morning of May 10.

I am pleased to note that assurances have been given to the Icelandic Government that the British Government is acting solely to insure the security of Iceland against a German invasion and that the British forces will be withdrawn at the end of the war and that they will not interfere with the administration of the island.

Accept [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
Sumner Welles