859B.7962/3: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Godthaab (Penfield)
7. 1. The Canadian Government has informed us of their desire to send an Air Force expedition to the vicinity of Julianehaab as soon as weather permits to determine the possibility of the establishment of an aerodrome and related facilities, and of a meteorological and radio station, the latter to be equipped with radio direction finding equipment. An expression of the attitude of this Government has been requested.
2. As you are aware the primary objective of United States policy with respect to Greenland has been to keep that area, as a part of the Western Hemisphere, insulated so far as possible against becoming the scene of belligerent activities.
3. Please inform Governor Svane2 informally and in strict confidence of the representations made to us by the Canadian Government and advance the friendly suggestion that it would assist us in formulating a reply to the Canadian representations which would be in consonance with our policy as outlined above if we were to receive through you a request from him for the early despatch of a group of American experts to make a survey of the possibility of the establishment by the Greenland authorities of civil aerodromes and additional radio and meteorological facilities in South Greenland. You may say that should such a request be received the United States Government would endeavor to make available to the Greenland authorities the services of a group of experts who would proceed to Greenland as soon as possible. Such expenses as might be incurred would of course be borne by this Government.
4. An urgent reply is requested.
- Aksel Svane, Governor of South Greenland.↩