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  4. Document 35

859B.01/348a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul at Godthaab (Penfield)

Washington, April 4, 1941—4 p.m.

31. 1. As you were informed in the second paragraph of our telegram no. 13, February 17, 8 p.m., it was the intention at that time to work out an arrangement by which defense facilities in Greenland might be constructed as an undertaking of the Danish authorities in Greenland with the financial and technical assistance of the United States. The decision has now been made that defense facilities in Greenland should be constructed and protected by and be under the sole jurisdiction of the United States. Accordingly, as a result of recent developments in the European war affecting the North Atlantic area and the security of the United States and the American Continent, we have had an informal exchange of views with the Minister of Denmark regarding the measures, consistent with the maintenance of free Danish sovereignty over Greenland, which might be taken to guard against Greenland being used by a non-American power as a point of aggression against the rest of the Continent. A tentative understanding has been reached upon the draft of a proposed agreement to this end.

2. The draft agreement may be summarized as follows:

Preamble

  • Clause 1 refers to the May 3, 1940 Resolution of the United Greenland Councils renewing their fealty to His Majesty the King of Denmark and expressing the hope that the United States would hold in mind the exposed position of the Danish flag in Greenland, et cetera.
  • Clause 2 refers to the Agreement between the Governments of the American Republics10 regarding their common concern in the fate of the American possessions of European powers.
  • Clause 3 refers to the importance which an adequate defense of Greenland bears to the security of the American Continent from attack by a non-American power.
  • Clause 4 refers to the fact that although full recognition continues to be given to Danish sovereignty over Greenland, the Government in Denmark is temporarily prevented by existing circumstances from exercising its powers in respect of Greenland.

Body of Agreement

  • Article I reiterates United States recognition of and respect for Danish sovereignty in Greenland and sets forth the acceptance by the United States, in view of its obligations under the Act of Habana, of the responsibility of assisting Greenland in maintaining its present status.
  • Article II gives the United States the right to establish landing fields and other defense facilities in Greenland.
  • Article III grants the United States the right to take all other necessary measures to operate and protect defense facilities in Greenland and further specifies the nature of such facilities.
  • Article IV opens Greenland defense facilities to planes and vessels of all the American nations for the defense of the Western Hemisphere.
  • Article V provides for immediate use by the United States of areas necessary for the construction and operation of defense facilities and for the subsequent leasing of such areas for the period the agreement remains in force. This article further provides that the health, welfare and economic needs of the native population shall be given the fullest consideration in the location of defense areas.
  • Article VI provides for the retention by the Kingdom of Denmark of sovereignty over defense areas in Greenland but grants to the United States during the life of the agreement exclusive jurisdiction within such areas except over Danish citizens and native Greenlanders.
  • Article VII authorizes the United States to maintain postal facilities and commissary stores for the exclusive use of American defense personnel.
  • Article VIII provides for freedom from taxation for American personnel and supplies brought into Greenland in connection with the defense establishment.
  • Article IX contains an undertaking by the United States to respect the political administration of Greenland as well as all legitimate interests in the country and the regulations and customs concerning the native population. It further provides that sympathetic consideration will be given any representations respecting the welfare of the Greenland people which may from time to time be made by the Danish authorities in Greenland.
  • Article X provides that when the present dangers to the security of the American Continent have passed, the Government of the United States and the Government of Denmark will consult with respect to the modification or termination of the agreement and that after such consultation either party may terminate the agreement upon 12 months notice to the other party.

3. It is proposed that the agreement be signed by the Danish Minister on behalf of His Majesty the King of Denmark in the King’s capacity as sovereign of Greenland. The agreement will also contain a statement to the effect that the King’s authorities in Greenland have concurred therein.

4. Owing to the acceleration of military events in the North Atlantic area, such as the recent German air attack on Iceland, the extension of the German war area to East Greenland territorial waters and the flights of German planes over Scoresby Sound, we are anxious to conclude the foregoing agreement as soon as possible in order that steps may be taken to accomplish its major purpose, namely the creation of an adequate defense establishment in Greenland. The Minister of Denmark with whom this consideration has been discussed believes [Page 44] that it is desirable to sign the agreement not later than the end of this week and is telegraphing the authorities in Greenland in this sense.

You may wish to point out that the arrangement is substantially similar to those which the United States has already made and is making with other American governments in pursuance of its policy of hemispheric defense.

5. In discussing the proposed agreement with Svane and Brun, please impress upon them our desire that the matter be kept entirely confidential and not communicated to anyone for the time being. Report by telegraph.

Hull
  1. Convention on Provisional Administration of European Colonies and Possessions in the Americas, concluded at Habana July 30, 1940, Department of State Treaty Series No. 977, or 54 Stat. (pt. 2) 2491.↩