859A.20/207/12
The British Ambassador (Halifax) to the
Acting Secretary of State
Washington, June 28,
1941.
My Dear Welles: You will remember that during
our conversation on June 26th about Iceland you told me that the
President felt strongly that it would not be wise for any British forces
to be withdrawn immediately on the arrival of the first American
contingent. You also told me that the President had expressed some
doubts whether there were nearly enough British troops in the Island at
the moment.
I at once passed on what you said to me to London and have now received
the enclosed telegram in reply.
Ys. truly,
[Enclosure]
Telegram Received by the British Ambassador
(Halifax) From the
British Foreign Office
You may give the President formal and definite assurance that our
forces will not be reduced until both parties are satisfied that the
position is secure since I understand from Chiefs of Staff that
arrangements have been made in concert with United States staff for
considerable overlapping between the arrival of the United States
contingent and departure of the first detachment of our troops.
2. As regards the last sentence of your telegram if we had had
unlimited resources we should doubtless have put a larger garrison
and particularly more air force into Iceland. Chiefs of Staff
consider that it would not be an over-insurance if the United States
were to increase the forces they at present contemplate sending to
Iceland by an additional brigade group and some more air forces.
