The Pittsburgh Press (April 10, 1941)
HULL FEARS DANISH ISLES USE BY NAZIS
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German scouts over area spur extension of zone of defense
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By T. F. Reynolds, United Press staff writer
Washington, April 10 –
President Roosevelt today extended American protection to Greenland under an agreement with Denmark giving the U.S. the right to establish air bases and other fortifications on the vast island.
The agreement was announced by White House Secretary Stephen T. Early who said:
This government made this agreement after it had been informed that German planes have been flying over Greenland.
In explaining the agreement, which was signed yesterday – one year and a day after German occupation of Denmark, the State Department said it:
…recognizes that, as a result of the present European war, there is danger that Greenland may be converted into a point of aggression against nations of the American continent.
Point to Iceland blockade
Further, the Department said, the agreement:
…accepts the responsibility on behalf of the United States of assisting Greenland in the maintenance of its present status.
Signing of the agreement was considered especially significant in view, not only of the German flights over Greenland, but also because of Germany’s recently instituted blockade of Iceland, autonomous Danish territory.
Although Iceland is comparatively close to Greenland, the President has never included it in his definition of Western Hemisphere limits.
Hull signs agreement
The agreement stressed that, while the U.S. would have broad military rights in Greenland, including the maintenance of naval bases, the right of Denmark to the territory would not be impaired. It also provided that such military facilities as are created in Greenland shall be on a lease basis.
Mr. Roosevelt issued a statement explaining the agreement which was signed by Henrik Kauffmann, Danish Minister, and Secretary of State Cordell Hull, saying that it placed Greenland “in our system of cooperative hemispheric defense.”
The State Department, elaborating on Mr. Early’s reference to the presence of German planes over Greenland, said there were several instances of Nazi activity in the area.
During the summer of 1940, German activity on the eastern coast of Greenland became apparent. Three ships proceeding from Norwegian territory under German occupation arrived off the coast of Greenland, ostensibly for commercial or scientific purposes; and at least one of these ships landed parties nominally for scientific purposes, but actually for weather report assistance to German belligerent operations in the North Atlantic.
Nazis continue activity
These parties eventually were cleared out. In the late fall of 1940, air reconnaissance appeared over east Greenland under circumstances making it plain that there had been continued activity in that region.
On March 21, 1941, a German bomber flew over the eastern coast of Greenland and on the following day another German war plane likewise reconnoitered the same territory. Under these circumstances it appeared that further steps for the defense of Greenland were necessary to bring Greenland within the system of hemispheric defense envisaged by the Act of Havana.
‘Assure safety only’
The Department continued:
The Government of the United States has no thought in mind save that of assuring the safety of Greenland and the rest of the American continent, and Greenland’s continuance under Danish sovereignty. The agreement recognizes explicitly the full Danish sovereignty over Greenland.
At the same time it is recognized that so long as Denmark remains under German occupation the Government in Denmark cannot exercise the Danish sovereign powers over Greenland under the Monroe Doctrine, and the agreement therefore was signed between the Secretary of State and the Danish Minister in Washington, acting as representative of the King of Denmark in his capacity as sovereign of Greenland, and with the concurrence of the Governors of Greenland.
Article II of the agreement, covering establishment of American fortifications, stated:
It is agreed that the Government of the United States of America shall have the right to construct, maintain and operate such landing fields, seaplane facilities and radio and meteorological installations as may be necessary for the accomplishment of the purposes set forth in Article I [Greenland defense].
The following article stated:
The grants of the rights specified in Article II shall also include the right to improve and deepen harbors and anchorages and the approaches thereto, to install aids to navigation by air and by water, and to construct roads, communication services, fortifications, repair and storage facilities, and housing for personnel, and generally, the right to do any and all things necessary to insure the efficient operation, maintenance and protection of such defense facilities as may be established.
Extends Atlantic defenses
The agreement has the effect of extending American Atlantic defenses from the northern coast of South America, through the Atlantic and Caribbean islands, and beyond the Arctic Circle to a point approaching the North Pole.
The agreement resembled, in many technical respects, that entered into for leasing naval and air base sites in the Atlantic from Britain. It covered U.S. postal facilities for the bases which may be established there, exclusive American jurisdiction over U.S. citizens in the area, and for tax-free entry of materials and goods needed for American garrisons.
The agreement spoke of the “traditional friendliness” between Denmark and the United States, and stated:
The policy of the United States is that of defending for Denmark her sovereignty over Greenland, so that she may have a full exercise of it as soon as the invasion is ended. The agreement accordingly provides that as soon as the war is over and the danger has passed, the two Governments shall promptly consult as to whether the arrangements made by the present agreement shall continue or whether they shall then cease.
Danish Minister Kauffmann, in a letter to Mr. Hull, expressed:
…my feelings of gratitude for the expression of friendly concern of your Government and its earnest hope for the complete and speedy liberation of Denmark.
Furthermore, I am of the opinion that the terms of the agreement protect, as far as possible, the interests of the native [Eskimo] population of Greenland whose welfare traditionally has been the paramount aim of Denmark’s policy in Greenland.
He said he shared:
…your [Hull’s] view that the proposed agreement, arrived at after an open and friendly exchange of views, is, under the singularly unusual circumstances, the best measure to assure both Greenland’s present safety and the future of the island under Danish Sovereignty.
Mr. Hull made it clear that the United States had initiated the negotiations for the agreement.
Will defend Canada
Speaking for the President, White House Secretary Stephen T. Early said Greenland, or any other foreign possessions in the Western Hemisphere, including Canada, will be defended if attacked by powers seeking to revise the status quo of sovereignty.
Mr. Roosevelt explained his objectives in the following statement:
Yesterday, we signed an agreement with the Danish Minister in Washington, who acts on behalf of the King of Denmark, as sovereign of Greenland, including Greenland in our system of cooperative hemispheric defense.
This agreement was signed on the anniversary of the day on which German troops invaded Denmark.
Last May, the Greenland Councils requested the United States to keep in mind the exposed position of the Danish flag in Greenland. I at once offered to make available relief, if necessary; and to assure a continued flow of necessary supplies for the island.
The present step is a new proof of our continuing friendliness to Denmark. Under the present circumstances, the government in Denmark cannot, of course, act in respect of its territory in the Western Hemisphere, but we propose to make sure that when the German invasion of Denmark is ended, Greenland will remain a Danish colony. Meanwhile, we earnestly hope for the quick liberation of Denmark from her present invaders.