OCCUPATION OF ICELAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 July 1941, Page 5

OCCUPATION OF ICELAND

U.S.A. TROOPS WELCOMED. LONDON, July 11. The Icelandic Parliament to-day ratified the occupation of the island by United States troops. . The first account of. the arrival ol United States troops at the capital, Revkiavik, is contained m a Reutei message to-night. The message states that the convoy oi troopships, aircraft, and naval vessels was the largest ever seen in Icelandic waters. The convoy reached Iceland last Monday night. Representatives of the Government, ana a guard of honour, accompanied by a military band, inei and officially welcomed the officer commanding the United States force. When the disembarkation was complete, British soldiers stopped American troons in the streets, asked them lor the latest news, took them into shops to show them how things were done, and tried to teach them a bit ol Icelandic. . . , . . . „ ‘ The Icelandic mission which is now in London was to-day received by’the Foreign Secretary. (Mr. Eden), and / later were entertained by the Labour leader in the House oi Lords (Lord Snell) They were the guests oi the Norwegian Government at lunch, at which the Norwegian Prime Minister described Iceland as a bridge for all that was best in the old and the new worlds. The country demonstrated that smaller and weaken conntries could survive in this world. U.S.A, senate” request.

(Rec. 11.55) WASHINGTON, July 13. The United Press of America says that the Senate Naval Committee has agreed to urge Mr. Roosevelt to ask for the speedy withdrawal ot British troops from Iceland lest a German attack on the British should endanger American lives. —U.P.A.