859A.01/6–1744

The Icelandic Minister ( Thors ) to the Secretary of State

Sir: Acting under instructions from my Government and with reference to my note June 1, 1944 I have the honor to inform Your Excellency as follows.

[Page 994]

At a meeting in the united Althing on June 16, the following resolution was passed unanimously with the votes of all members of the Althing:

the Althing resolves to declare that the Danish-Icelandic Union Act from 1918 is cancelled.

Immediately thereafter the Althing equally unanimously resolved that the constitution of the Republic of Iceland shall enter into force on Saturday, June 17, 1944 when so declared by the President of the united Althing at a meeting in the united Althing.

The President of the united Althing has at two o’clock p.m. today at a meeting in the united Althing at Lögberg declared the entering into force of the constitution of the Republic of Iceland and thereby the Republic of Iceland has been re-established.

Then the election of the President of Iceland took place and Mr. Sveinn Björnsson was elected President. Immediately thereafter he took oath of office and entered upon his duties.

Accept [etc.]

Thor Thors