859B.7962/79: Telegram
The Consul at Godthaab (Penfield) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 20—5 p.m.]
53. 1. In general conversations with Cumming22 and myself during the past 2 days Svane has exhibited a very cooperative attitude and a realistic understanding of the situation in Greenland. Although he is not yet happy regarding the handling of Greenland interests in the United States he has decided that both he and Brun should remain in Godthaab indefinitely.
2. Brun has been unavoidably detained in Ivigtut due to lack of transportation but is now en route and is expected to arrive here tomorrow or Monday. As soon as possible after his arrival Cumming and I expect to leave on the Northland for Ivigtut and Julianehaab. Cumming expects to return to the United States and I to Godthaab as soon thereafter as possible dependent upon the requirements of the survey party and the arrival of the Modoc to relieve the Northland.
3. As of possible interest to the Department a translation of the Governor’s statement referred to in paragraph 2 of my 47, April 13, which appeared in the radio Avisen of April 15 follows:
“Different circumstances now prevail because of the agreement of April 9, 1941, and it must be assumed that this agreement represents the only possible way to preserve Denmark sovereignty and to assure the continuation of the Danish administration. We have every reason to believe that the Danish administrative and cultural work along the lines followed for 220 years will not be broken off but will be fully respected and supported from the American side as has been the case [Page 55] during the past year. So we hereby urgently request the whole population, Danish and Greenlanders, men and women, to exhibit a correct and worthy manner towards our guests. The people and Government servants shall continue to obey only the Danish authorities but all shall willingly assist and cooperate in the carrying out of the agreement with only one point in view, that of Greenland’s return to Denmark intact and unharmed. Signed Brun, Svane.”
- Hugh S. Cumming, Jr., of the Division of European Affairs, temporarily in Greenland.↩