NEUTRAL POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 15, 18 January 1940, Page 7

NEUTRAL POLICY.

SWEDEN DETERMINED. *Need No Orders From Abroad,' Says Premier. ATTITUDE TO FINLAND. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11 a.m.) STOCKHOLM, January 17. The Swedish Prime Minister, Mr. P. A. Hansson, declared in the Riksdag that "we need no orders from abroad concerning our relations with Finland, but must judge for ourselves how we can be of best serviee to the cause of Finland and the northern countries. "Our foreign policy is unchanged,*' he said. ''We shall defend our independence and neutrality. Western Powers have not put any pressure on us and Germany has not threatened us. "We will meet any attempt to violate our neutrality with all the powers at our disposal. There is no question of breaches of neutrality, such as permission for belligerent troops to traverse Sweden, or use bases there. "Sweden continues to collaborate with the small free States in order to ensnre neutrality and independence. There is no question of military coalition, nor obligation on Sweden to"provide help for Finland. "The nation has our sympathy, bnt caution must be exercised if we "are to avoid becoming a party to the conflict." Vehement Denunciation. The House applauded the Foreign Minister. Mr. R. .T. Sandler, when he \ ehemently denounced the neutralitv policy. He added that Sweden' should have safeguarded the neutrality of the Aaland islands with armed force. He deplored the lack of Scandinavian co-operation, adding that the recent meeting of the States was "a beautiful event," but that collaboration was torpedoed behind the scenes from the start. Sweden was not ready to take the necessary steps when the time came, but it was not too late yet. SEIZED BY NAZIS. Small Swedish Liner In Baltic.

20 AMERICANS ON BOARD. (Received 11.30 a.m.) STOCKHOLM, January 17. German warships in the Baltic captured the Swedish passenger liner Birger Jarl (701 tons), which had 20 Americans on board, and escorted her to Swinemunde, Prussia. The Americans will be permitted to return to the L nited. States via Sweden.