U.S. Takes Over Iceland

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 161, 9 July 1941, Page 5

U.S. Takes Over Iceland

Significant Move to Relieve British Force

SAFEGUARDING SHIP ROUTE United Pres* Association—Bv Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, July 7. President Roosevelt informed Congress at Washington to-day that United States naval forces had landed on Iceland and would supplement and eventually replace the Jiritisn forces already there. President Roosevelt said mat America could not permit the occupation by the Germans of strategic outposts in the Western Hemisphere. .Similar steps to these had already been taken in Greenland. It is pointed out that this new move by the American Navy will prevent any threat to Greenland and also to shipping in the North Atlantic carrying vital supjriies of munitions and foodstuffs to liritaiu. A British f oreign Office spokesman commented to-day: “This is Dig news and welcome news.” The taking over by the United States of the defence of Iceland with the consent of the Icelandic authorities, which is officially announced in Washington, is warmly welcomed by Britain as yet another indication of American determination to safeguard the Western Hemisphere and the Americas (comments a Hritish Official Wireless message). The step has been endorsed by the British Government as the logical outcome of the policy announced when Greenland was occupied. It is regarded as a practical realisation by America that Germany is out to dominate the world. The British troops in Iceland will be relieved and gradually withdrawn, fcffich relief of commitments in the Western Hemisphere is regarded as welcome when aggression iu the east is imposing fresh obligations on the Britisn Government. Following conversations between the British ana United {States authorities in Washington on the question of enemy ships now sheltering in United States ports, the British Embassy there has been authorised to issue the following statement:—“The British Government announces, in connection with the recent agreement for the employment of Danish ships in United States ports, that it has consented in respect of these ships to waive its rights as a belligerent to refuse to recognise the transfer of enemy merchant ships to a neutral flag unless it has first satisfied itself as to the validity of tho transfer. ‘ ‘ The principal reason hitherto for the immobilisation of these ships has been the fact that the British Government has felt unable to waive these r-ights, to the maintenance of which iv attaches the greatest importance. It is, however, satisfied and gratefully recognises that the use to which these ships are to be put will contribute directly or indirectly to the war effort of the democracies." The United States Navy Department has asked for a further appropriation of £146,000,000 for the building of new ships. The American Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, stated to-day that Britain had agreed in piinciple to the safe conduct of the German and Italian officials recently expelled for participating in propaganda campaigns, it is understood that 500 of these nationals are affected.

President Roosevelt explained that Mr. Churchill intimated that the British forces in Iceland were required elsewhere.

After conversations with the Iceland Prime Minister, Mr. Hermann Jonasson invited President Roosevelt to send United States troops under several conditions. Special stress was laid on there being sufficient aeroplanes for defensive purposes.

Mr. Roosevelt said this and other conditions relating to the adequate protection, integrity and maintenance of Iceland’s sovereignty and withdrawal after the Avar were fully acceptable to the United States and would be observed.

Senator Wheeler (isolationist leader), commenting on the occupation of Iceland, said: “It Avill not be long before our troops are also occupying the Cape Verde islands, Dakar and the Azores.