859A.00/102: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Iceland (Warner)
268. Your 419, August 15.
1. Please deliver to the Prime Minister in a formal note the substance of the following observations:
The Government of the United States has carefully studied the Prime Minister’s memorandum setting forth the Icelandic point of view with regard to the early unilateral termination of the Union and treaty between Iceland and Denmark.
The Government of the United States recognizes that in normal times the abrogation of the Union and the treaty and the proposed change in the fundamental political organization of the Icelandic State would be matters to be decided by the Icelandic peoples in accordance with their own needs and aspirations.
The Government of the United States has no desire to interfere in the slightest degree with the freedom of action of the Icelandic people in these respects, but it is desirous that no action should be taken during these troublous times that might interfere with the general war effort of the United Nations, on the outcome of which so greatly depends the future welfare and independence of Iceland and of the United States as well as of other nations and peoples. This Government holds the view that the common interest in the successful prosecution of the war would be best served if the status quo were maintained in Iceland for the time being. This would avoid the possible charge that Iceland had taken advantage of the present unfortunate position of Denmark. It would also avoid the further untruthful charge that the United States had taken advantage of the situation of Denmark and of the presence of United States military forces in Iceland to promote the abrogation movement. Our two Governments know that United States has had nothing whatsoever to do with the proposed action by Iceland, but other governments and peoples would be told by the Axis powers that this was the work of the United States.
Accordingly the Government of the United States repeats the suggestion that in the best interests of both Iceland and the United States [Page 18] and of general world order and understanding the abrogation question be postponed until a more favorable occasion.
2. Close paraphrase of text of Icelandic memorandum transmitted in your 410, August 8, has been handed to the Icelandic Minister as requested in your 409.