It'
I
[N 3602 543 Gl
Foreign Office,
J ul y 9.
this afternoon,
1941.
when
(No. 496.)
My Lord,
THE United States Ambassador came to see me
congratulated him upon the successful arrival of United States troops in Iceland.
'The Ambassador said he was greatly relieved that the operation had gone off
so well, but that he had to speak to me on a minor complication. Certain
American pressmen in this country had expressed1 the wish to fly to Iceland, and
some of them had actually already arrived in Glasgow. The State Department
would regard it as highly embarrassing if they were to reach Iceland and report
on the number of American troops and on other aspects of conditions there, such
as the extent of the previous collaboration with us and the attitude of the
Icelandic Government. The State Department had therefore decided that the
newspaper correspondents must not proceed. At the same time, they did not
wish the United States Administration to appear in the matter, and he feared
that we should have to take the burden of blame.
2. I showed some distaste at this and reminded the Ambassador that the
American correspondents here were already unhappy as a result of their alleged
inability to obtain sufficient news to cable to the United States. Those who had
set off to Iceland obviously thought that they would be able to provide their
country with valuable " copy." Their resentment at being stopped by us would
be great. The Ambassador admitted all this, but said that he did not see what
he could do to help us. He feared I would have to bear this burden in addition
to others.
10916-113  L'2065—6
I am, with great truth and respect,
My Lord,
Your Excellency's obedient Servant,
(For the Secretary of State)
His Excellency
The Right Honourable
Viscount Halifax, K.G., G.C.S.I.,
etc.,     etc.,     etc,,
Washington.